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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

£4,990

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

MB Executive Motor Company

02476936643 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,286

Finance available £417 pm

1.5L
21.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£19,220

Finance available £407 pm

1.4L
38.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,795

1.2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorline Car Sales

01162160117 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI R Black Edition DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£44,495

Finance available £894 pm

2L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TRINITY MOTOR SALES LTD

01422411698 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr + SPACE SAVER

£20,951

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£19,695

Finance available £384 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hartlepool Motor Company Ltd

01429807308 *

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

Low Mileage

£24,000

Finance available £408 pm

2L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£19,998

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Lichfield

01543228295 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.6 FSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,249

1.6L
132.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AMC Car Sales

01212722821 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

£15,497

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,490

Finance available £346 pm

2L
62.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TMMC The Manchester Motor Company Ltd

01204324191 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5-Door

£13,197

Finance available £262 pm

1.5L
50.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,495

Finance available £383 pm

2L
44.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,620

Finance available £403 pm

1.5L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Motor Group Peterborough

01733666887 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£32,998

2L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat / Abarth (Falkirk)

01324465358 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,777

Finance available £174 pm

1.4L
96.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Velocity Auto Sales Ltd

01932559041 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£14,895

Finance available £323 pm

1L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

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 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 (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.