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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,899

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Beccles

01502440598 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£36,298

2L
12.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hillington Renault / Dacia / Alpine / Vanstore

01414068774 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,375

Finance available £321 pm

1.5L
48.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
16.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 p

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
78.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,500

Finance available £279 pm

1L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Browns Car Company

01621733495 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Toccar

01652247128 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

1.4L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,495

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£4,995

2L
134.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

R And R Trade Cars Ltd

01494311448 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (62) - 1.2 TSi Bluemotion Auto 5-Door

Reduced

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.2L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Nippon Motors

01164646742 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG + CLICK AND COLLECT Automatic

Low Mileage

£40,498

2L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£16,035

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Cheltenham

01452227297 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,195

Finance available £94 pm

1.6L
99.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£16,750

Finance available £292 pm

1.5L
67.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Mazda Carlisle)

01228273596 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (63) - 2.0 TSI R Cabriolet DSG Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£9,295

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Cotswolds Cars and Commercials Ltd

07860560059 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 5dr DSG

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Vehicle Choice Locator

01423396133 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,493

Finance available £274 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,150

1.2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kobe Trading UK Limited

01162165671 *

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.

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.