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.

5,290 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£18,880

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Nissan Widnes

01515417897 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 Turbo Diesel (TDI), GT Edition, Estate, Automatic (DSG), Euro 6. 5-Door

£9,999

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1996 (P) - 2.0 Avantgarde 2dr Auto

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Cheltenham Spa Motors Ltd

01452227274 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

McKinney Motors

02837440713 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

£5,595

Finance available £103 pm

1.6L
103.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GMC 2000

01134680586 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

Low Mileage

£20,340

1.5L
10.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

1.6L
55.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£30,183

Finance available £626 pm

2L
11.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) (300 p

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Colliss Motors

01985807078 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,998

1.4L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG

£3,995

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI 184 5dr DSG

£11,450

Finance available £233 pm

2L
80.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

William Coates Cars

01262410927 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Vise Ltd

02039467655 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - Active 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£20,262

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,823

1L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
12.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,875

Finance available £64 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Excel Motors

01733667455 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

£33,000

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

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

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.

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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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