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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf(61) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 ulez compliance 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Jap Car Finder

01274028194 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI Clubsport 2.0 TSI 300ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£46,972

2L
2.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Reduced

£18,900

Finance available £368 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GS Car Centre Ltd

01772348161 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 290 GTI TCR 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,499

Finance available £574 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,497

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

LANDSTRADELTD

01234237585 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav 5-Door

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

1.4L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
8.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Trade Car Lot

01924973266 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,490

Finance available £346 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,759

1.5L
5.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Nissan Glasgow South

01416119835 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£18,199

Finance available £353 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£21,498

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Kia (Linwood)

01414043794 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - GTI 3-Door

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
1.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Platinum Car Centre

01752987232 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) ONLY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

1.4L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandford Garage

01779401060 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - R32

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

122.1K
Miles
Not Supplied
Manual
Not Supplied

Ainsdale Car Centre

01704337328 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Leather]

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
94.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CarBrothers NI

02894339938 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet 2dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (160 ps)

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

2L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Jefferies Car Centre Ltd

01373489224 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,900

Finance available £256 pm

1L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,259

1.5L
11.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,770

Finance available £107 pm

2L
93.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wainman Motors

01733902676 *

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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