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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf1987 - 1.8 CONVERTIBLE CABRIOLET * ORIGINAL 1987 WHITE SMALL BUMPER 2-Door

Low Mileage

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.8L
90.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.2 Tsi Automatic Dsg...Only 31655 Miles

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.2L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Not Supplied

Four Crosses Garage

01743292166 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,790

Finance available £386 pm

1.5L
17.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£16,795

Finance available £353 pm

2L
83.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tenby Car Supermarket

01582280726 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£3,799

Finance available £63 pm

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

NJ Vehicle Solutions

01172331369 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO MANUAL

£20,990

1.5L
27.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps

Low Mileage

£11,998

1.4L
32.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vehicle Trade Centre Kilmarnock

01563590186 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,890

Finance available £442 pm

2L
55.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motor Match Stockport

01614139889 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

2L
76.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motoring Way LTD

01495361519 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

A1 Autos

02890023133 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,650

Finance available £383 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Mac Motors

02890023774 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - Style MK8 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door

Low Mileage

£18,695

1.5L
14.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£9,985

Finance available £201 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Aventus Motors LTD

01162165602 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R DSG 4WD 5dr

£15,995

2L
80.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,250

Finance available £224 pm

1.4L
64.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - S 79BHP 5-Door

£1,795

1.4L
200.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,000

Finance available £452 pm

2L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,800

Finance available £427 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Sport Vans Ltd Derbyshire

01332418910 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 3-Door

Low Mileage

£9,995

1.6L
24.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Venn's Motor Company

01823339223 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£26,395

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

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.