The TDI badge stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, and is the badge fitted to turbodiesel versions of the golf. These engines are well known for their dependability as well as producing a great balance between performance and fuel efficiency.

What is the most popular Golf?

The Golf Match is the most popular version of the Golf. It's a mid-to-high specification version of the Mk7 golf and came equipped with adaptive cruise control, touchscreen sat nav and air con as standard. Of the Mk8, the Life is the most readily available on the used market. Though it's the entry-level model, it still comes with alloy wheels, front/rear parking sensors, sat nav and climate control.

Is the Volkswagen Golf good for long-distance driving?

Yes, the Golf is a very comfortable motorway cruiser. The interior is also spacious enough to accommodate passengers on a longer trip.

Is the Golf a good family car?

Yes. Volkswagen has always designed the Golf to be a family car. For a long time now, the Golf has only been available in a five-door layout, and it's very straightforward to fit an ISOFIX child seat in the back. Even performance versions such as the GTI and R retain excellent practicality but add a serious dose of performance.

Does the Volkswagen Golf come as a hybrid or electric version?

Yes, you can buy the Golf as an e-Golf, which is a fully electric car. This has lots of advantages, such as much lower running costs. There is also a plug-in hybrid version that allows for up to 42 miles of electric driving before switching to petrol/electric hybrid power to allow you to continue your journey.

Is there a four-wheel drive version of the Golf?

Yes, the very popular Golf R hot hatchback (and estate) comes with four-wheel drive as standard. The other option is the relatively rare Alltrack, which is an estate model.

5,255 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,249

Finance available £330 pm

2L
40.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch

01182078522 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,999

1.6L
100.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,698

2L
26.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Armadale Citroen / Vanstore

01501640622 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,794

1.5L
17.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Birmingham

01217288833 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
70.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Halesowen Trade Centre Ltd

01217288685 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,999

1.5L
7.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door + SUNROOF + WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£26,991

2L
20.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-LINE EDITION 5-Door

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bespoke Motor Works Ltd

01642937532 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr - Discover Navigation - Front

£16,500

1.5L
28.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorparks Warrington

01925875960 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
52.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Oakwood Specialist Cars

01918237768 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Junction Motors

01246383489 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grampian Cars

01261450003 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,525

1.5L
9.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG [Nav]

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,600

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£15,500

Finance available £324 pm

1.5L
53.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chris W Roads Ltd

01773301938 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
109.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,636

1.5L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£19,499

Finance available £401 pm

1.4L
31.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £283 pm

1.5L
20.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Golf?

If you're in the market for a practical, comfortable and dependable car with the added benefit of timeless style and design, then a used Volkswagen Golf is a great choice. The Golf is also available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and even full electric engines.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Efficient engines
Impressively refined
High-quality interior

Cons

Rivals are more involving to drive
Digitalised interior is a bit fiddly
Plain styling

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

Volkswagen Golf video review

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Different generations of used Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been on the roads since 1974, with the UK being one of its best markets. Over the course of eight generations, Volkswagen has kept the Golf stylish and relevant. The newest models remain highly efficient and thoroughly enjoyable to drive.

Eighth Generation (2020 to 2020)

The most recent generation has been completely redesigned inside and out. The style is more striking, with interior features similar to those of the all-electric ID.4. Enhanced safety systems have also been added for a more protected drive.

VW released all-electric models and a plug-in hybrid for increased efficiency, further adding to the overall appeal of the latest generation Golf.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 34 - 941
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 10.7 seconds
Boot space:: 273 - 611 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.0 TSI Life 5dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Seventh Generation (2013 to 2020)

The MQB platform created a Golf that was 100 kg lighter than earlier models, meaning better performance, handling and fuel efficiency. Safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking was added. As with previous generations, VW continued working on ways to make the Golf more efficient, with improvements year over year.

In 2013, the Golf R hit the scene and brought class-leading hot hatch performance. Such was the popularity of the Mk7 Golf, over six million were built and sold worldwide.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Full Electric / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2
MPG:: 34 - 166
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 12.9 seconds
Boot space:: 272 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto
Cheapest
1.2 TSI S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Sixth Generation (2009 to 2016)

It didn't take long before drivers realised how amazing this generation was, with the 2009 model winning the World Car of the Year award. Despite its sharp style, this generation didn't go on many years before another design took over, making them even more desirable on the used market.

Most notably, this generation receives a lot of praise for its safety and the high-tech features included.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.2 - 2
MPG:: 33 - 74
Acceleration:: 5.5 - 13.9 seconds
Boot space:: 250 - 505 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.2 TSI S 2dr
Cheapest
1.4 S 3dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI R 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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