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.

5,238 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£9,499

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Brookside Garage

01407888489 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,875

Finance available £64 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Excel Motors

01733667455 *

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 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,587

1L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Bromley

02037587414 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,599

Finance available £320 pm

1.5L
35.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Manchester

01614139868 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Cabriolet Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Reduced

£3,400

Finance available £54 pm

1.6L
96.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Mayfair Motors

01164029071 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,295

2L
59.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,689

Finance available £216 pm

1.6L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Nationwide Vehicle Finance Ltd

01204324459 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

£17,500

1.5L
33.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,314

Finance available £372 pm

1.5L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,791

1.5L
28.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,596

1.5L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

COURT AUTOS LIMITED

01952953951 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£7,890

Finance available £154 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Value Car Centre

01603512116 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,695

Finance available £548 pm

2L
4.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,990

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pulse Motors

01709223097 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,547

2L
53.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£17,099

Finance available £352 pm

1.5L
27.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Reduced

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

2L
66.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

WMGB

01278550715 *

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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 3dr 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

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Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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