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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.2 TSI BLUEMOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
62.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 SE TDI 5d 138 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTi TSi 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,380

Finance available £344 pm

2L
58.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ryds Group Ltd

02038704048 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (0D) - 2.0 GTI 5dr 197 BHP

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M J Autos

01217288644 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£10,600

Finance available £214 pm

31.2K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

2L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Alpine Motor Company

07591475657 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£22,491

1.4L
20.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

£30,199

1.5L
6.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD BlueLine Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,600

Finance available £272 pm

1.5L
21.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2.0 GTI DSG (DCC) 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Eden Car Sales Ltd

02893447216 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Auto Trade Spot Limited

01494312165 *

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

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Gatwick Motor World

01444222210 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,000

1.5L
43.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Grimsby Hewitts Business Park Nissan

01472404052 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,240

Finance available £296 pm

1.5L
87.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Prosper Autos Ltd

01282501861 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£17,698

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£9,979

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Autopoint

01436647028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

1.6L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eddie Mallon Motors

02837440447 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI SE Nav 5-Door

£6,992

Finance available £134 pm

1L
107.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

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 2016)

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 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.

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* 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.