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.

5,276 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Reduced

£3,649

Finance available £59 pm

1.6L
144.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Audi Technik Centre

01412601247 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

£33,749

Finance available £717 pm

2L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.2 TSI 105 S 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,700

Finance available £127 pm

1.2L
58.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cleland Car Sales

01698539229 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf GTD 5dr

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
100.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Fine & Country Automotive Limited

01799610960 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

1L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£18,369

Finance available £376 pm

1.4L
33.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JM MOTOR CO

01158227506 *

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

£10,199

1.6L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pinetree Car Superstore Tonypandy

01443806091 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,798

1.5L
41.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - GTD TDI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,450

Finance available £345 pm

2L
43.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,290

1.5L
44.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Keywise Cars Ltd

01392344397 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
55.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Canvey Carriage Company

01268203836 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,250

1.5L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 5dr 1.5TSi Match

Low Mileage

£23,995

1.5L
2.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Chichester

01243219542 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
70.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CarBrothers NI

02894339938 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£14,500

Finance available £302 pm

2L
68.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Euro UK Motors LTD

01582280667 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,799

Finance available £308 pm

2L
0.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Z a motors

01785336152 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG | Winter Pack

£42,490

Finance available £815 pm

2L
100.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 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 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 (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 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

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