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 Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - PARK SE

£12,517

Finance available £242 pm

1.5L
67.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,680

2L
8.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NATIONAL CAR HUB

01922665543 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,990

2L
29.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Harrogate

01432801661 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr

£13,490

Finance available £279 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

George O'Hara Motors

02877440245 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,330

Finance available £275 pm

1.5L
73.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,995

3.2L
73.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Prestige Motors NI

02890026900 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£8,995

2L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,289

Finance available £396 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£19,127

1.5L
21.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Hull

01482421858 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Match 5-Door

£21,697

Finance available £444 pm

1.5L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£16,300

Finance available £273 pm

2L
32.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,760

1.5L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Lincoln

01522440298 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,000

Finance available £329 pm

1.6L
11.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Turners of Roborough

01752427448 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr - AIR CON - ELECTRIC WINDOWS

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.4L
91.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Wise

01673268382 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,489

Finance available £190 pm

2L
101.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DJH Prestige And Sports

01216615564 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
35.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wednesbury Carsale

01217288861 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£10,498

1.6L
78.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Carlisle Motorstore / Vanstore

01228276696 *

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

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 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

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