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.

5,387 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,287

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
84.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,199

Finance available £228 pm

1L
47.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

1.5L
6.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Black Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£31,881

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,895

Finance available £323 pm

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5-Door

£8,495

2L
118.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,400

Finance available £378 pm

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,586

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE Nav 1.5 TSI EVO 130PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£12,411

1.5L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£19,183

1.5L
29.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 GT Edition 5dr

Reduced

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

1.6L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,327

2L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

£39,990

1.5L
150.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,162

1.5L
37.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,500

Finance available £369 pm

1.5L
40.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Halesowen Motor House - Halesowen

01217525784 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,256

2L
6.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£15,000

Finance available £313 pm

2L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

4motion Cars

01733977717 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr

£15,349

1.5L
62.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Kilwinning Autoplex

01294440522 *

4.7/5 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

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 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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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