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.

5,297 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
40.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Steven Eagell Toyota Wolverhampton

01902290376 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

£13,498

1L
63.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark SEAT/Cupra (Glasgow North)

01414839922 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,999

Finance available £412 pm

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION

Low Mileage

£18,990

2L
45.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pure Cars

01924667281 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£16,571

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Stoke

01782358009 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,498

1.5L
27.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (East Kilbride)

01355203634 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - MK7 Facelift 1.0 TSI SE 115PS 5Dr Manual

Low Mileage

£13,927

Finance available £289 pm

1L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,200

1.5L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Tsi Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 130 Ps

£14,395

Finance available £293 pm

1.5L
62.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

EMG Motor Group Duxford

01223650664 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

£18,783

Finance available £365 pm

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bennett Renault Leeds

01134680623 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,400

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,999

2L
54.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Irvine Outlet & EV Centre

01294444950 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£11,299

Finance available £230 pm

18.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,094

2L
59.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Hatchback

£15,895

1.5L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Canterbury Vauxhall

01227203980 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,499

Finance available £339 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

John Griffiths Cars Ltd

01778308207 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

1.4L
39.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Autospec UK

01698538871 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AUTOPRESTIGE

01274087615 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 5d 109 BHP (ULEZ compliant) 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
114.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Priceless Auto Services Ltd

01606535830 *

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 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 (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

* 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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