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.

5,342 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,750

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
48.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JMR MOTOR GROUP LTD

02039104770 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (14

Reduced

£6,555

Finance available £124 pm

1.4L
102.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£39,995

2L
21.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Getacar Ltd

01530447322 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£51,000

2L
521.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,265

Finance available £207 pm

1.4L
78.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Oxford Prestige

01865560426 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
91.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Harris Motor Group

01924942328 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
97.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1998 (R) - 2.8 VR6 5dr

Reduced

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2.8L
111.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jdm-direct-imports

02476936580 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG £20 a year tax

£4,695

Finance available £83 pm

1.6L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Y S Motors

01494928876 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

£33,500

2L
22.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD BlueLine 3dr DSG

£10,895

Finance available £221 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 3.2 R32 5DR Manual PX SWAP PART EXCHANGE EX

Low Mileage

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

3.2L
136.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nationwide Car Sales

01925907761 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Reduced

£35,295

2L
5.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - S TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,180

Finance available £160 pm

1.4L
58.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

My Next Car

02039577412 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£13,498

1.5L
59.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R 4Motion 300ps DSG 5Dr

£21,790

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1998 - LEFT HAND DRIVE 1.8 GTi 20V TURBO LIMITED EDITION 137 BHP 5DR HATCH

Reduced

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chesham Left Hand Drive Centre

01494296463 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,480

Finance available £256 pm

2L
78.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Capital Ltd

02038933681 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
65.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Richard Nash Cars Ltd

01603931816 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MSR PRESTIGE LTD

01254919241 *

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 2020)

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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