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.

5,362 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,149

Finance available £328 pm

2L
53.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

2L
37.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TIME MOTORS LIMITED

01156849371 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - CLIMATE CO

Low Mileage

£16,898

1.5L
22.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SAAD MOTORS LTD

01613887780 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,829

2L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,977

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,498

1.4L
53.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat / Abarth (Falkirk)

01324465358 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£2,295

2L
162.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

All Automotive Glasgow

01414069556 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,500

Finance available £277 pm

1.5L
69.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Newmachar Motors Ltd

01651260106 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,498

1.5L
6.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Armadale Citroen / Vanstore

01501640622 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,998

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stafford Motorstore / Vanstore / Electric Innovation Centre

01785550896 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,495

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

1.6L
97.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2.0 GTI DSG (DCC) 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Eden Car Sales Ltd

02893447216 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Reduced

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

KPH SYKEHOUSE LTD TA Priory Motors

01405801107 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,856

1.5L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Taunton

01823211157 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 5-Door

Reduced

£14,888

Finance available £310 pm

1.5L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Andrew James Cars Ltd

01474556864 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Eastside Motors

01217288688 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

2L
40.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

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 (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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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