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.

5,115 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.2 S TSI Auto 5 DOOR

£5,995

1.2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Small Car Company

02380017591 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 Golf SE Nav TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

Reduced

£7,625

Finance available £148 pm

1.6L
99.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,290

Finance available £275 pm

1.5L
38.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AutoVenue LTD

01633747902 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,995

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ravenswood Performance Ltd

01444222070 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£12,000

1L
68.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stoneacre Darlington Renault

01325527849 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 SE TDI 5d 138 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£29,993

2L
24.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

£14,099

Finance available £275 pm

2L
80.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
18.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R - LOVELY IN WHITE - UPGRADED ALLOYS - LOWERED SUSPENSION - AFTERM 3-Door

£18,970

Finance available £369 pm

2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Priddys Motor Company Ltd

01643800620 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£40,200

2L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£13,399

Finance available £277 pm

1.5L
91.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,536

1.5L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
27.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5drFULL HIST-HEATED SEATS-CRUISE-DAB-BLUETOOTH

Low Mileage

£6,795

1.4L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Discount Motors

01775661104 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,991

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
85.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cardiff Trade Sales Ltd

02922679489 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,298

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£12,749

Finance available £255 pm

1.6L
51.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

02039092092 *

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 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 (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

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