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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£6,980

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
45.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

HM Car Sales

01884212123 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£699

2L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI GT 3-Door

£6,695

Finance available £127 pm

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£10,000

1.4L
60.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Life 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£19,490

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,480

Finance available £229 pm

1.4L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,300

Finance available £163 pm

2L
113.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMS Motors

01144786434 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Manual

£16,650

1.5L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps) * HUGE SPE

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
42.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MJM Car Sales

01833600271 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,895

1.6L
155.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£44,995

Finance available £904 pm

2L
965.0
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Murphy Motor Sales

02890026876 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI Style 5dr DSG

£23,500

1.5L
17.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf(71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,200

29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£30,475

2L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - R-Line 1.5 TSI 150ps 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Regent Garage

01766800157 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,190

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
23.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Riverside Sports & Prestige

01924975090 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£23,999

Finance available £503 pm

2L
21.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,298

1.5L
34.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Kia (Linwood)

01414043794 *

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 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

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