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.

5,350 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

1.4L
118.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

London Broadway Car Sales Ltd

02037808913 *

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

Low Mileage

£15,044

2L
59.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,498

1.6L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Morecambe)

01524938898 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

High Grange Motor Company Ltd

01325525257 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (63) - 1.4 TSi DSG Automatic ESTATE 65000 Miles. PETROL ULEZ Free. PX OK 5-Door

Reduced

£6,895

Finance available £132 pm

1.4L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

mhas

02038056893 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,495

Finance available £544 pm

2L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carplex Ltd

01323396590 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,949

Finance available £327 pm

1L
18.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,999

1.6L
62.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.5L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Belt Motor Group

01384881241 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McCague Motors

02890023778 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Reduced

£5,600

Finance available £103 pm

2L
118.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CUDDLE CAR LTD

01615196691 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,995

1.5L
74.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hodgson Specialist Cars Ltd

01942365192 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£8,900

Finance available £177 pm

1.5L
86.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,300

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
37.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

2L
38.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Radius Vehicle Solutions

02890023225 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
55.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£25,998

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TDI SE Nav 5-Door

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
83.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Audi Technik Centre

01412601247 *

4.4/5 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 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 (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.