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.

5,119 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (210 ps)

Low Mileage

£8,495

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hudson Autos

01621734609 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,788

Finance available £196 pm

1.4L
80.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (Z7) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) 1 FORM

Reduced

£14,795

1.5L
23.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
94.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

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

£16,000

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Richardsons Car Sales

01522458038 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,490

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,499

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Direct Stockport

01613887691 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

77.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Supercar Clinic Ltd

01204584584 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£35,698

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore / BYD (Linwood)

01414736404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£3,990

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Xpert

01623259371 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
97.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

LS Autos

01306774216 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£32,998

2L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat / Abarth (Falkirk)

01324465358 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£11,649

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
43.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£9,995

40.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.9 S TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.9L
154.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S&K Motors

01205335102 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

£28,259

2L
38.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AB Car Sales (South West) Ltd

01822661594 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£10,900

Finance available £221 pm

2L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Style 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£21,410

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,995

2L
85.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Harris Motor Group

01924942328 *

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

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

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 Present)

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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.