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.

5,232 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£19,698

1.5L
20.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door

£22,499

2L
42.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,500

Finance available £486 pm

2L
19.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,540

Finance available £236 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Active DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,100

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
67.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

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

Low Mileage

£20,000

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stourbridge Motors

01384319482 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

£6,990

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Koybus Limited

01277286733 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

1L
13.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sagitta Automotive

01332419209 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£15,649

Finance available £321 pm

1L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
51.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
58.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Junction 5 Car Sales

01494977888 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr + SAT NAV / ULEZ / 20 TAX / H/SEATS / DAB

£8,475

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,500

Finance available £401 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Drive Time Specialist Cars Limited

01217288826 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,000

Finance available £281 pm

1.5L
23.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£35,000

2L
1.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG Automatic

Reduced

£16,795

1.5L
29.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (64) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Exclusive Motors Of GB LTD

02038978672 *

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

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
79.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace Car Sales Bury

01618042294 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£27,750

2L
16.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Auto MC Limited TA Automotive Cars

01535280995 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto

£14,911

1.5L
73.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

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 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 (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.