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.

5,312 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
9.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,695

Finance available £239 pm

1.4L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£15,100

Finance available £251 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

Reduced

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FRM Car Sales

01922661912 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,399

Finance available £293 pm

1L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

2L
78.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Roxburghe Group

01217288719 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 2.0T GTI 5dr

£2,250

2L
162.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CHC Cars Sales

01274028195 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI Clubsport 2.0TSI 300PS 7-speed DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£29,995

2L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£24,559

2L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,740

Finance available £61 pm

1.4L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vision Motors Direct - Haydock

01942367552 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,200

Finance available £374 pm

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE NAVIGATION TSI EVO DSG Semi Auto 5-Door

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Amanah Prestige Limited

02038235352 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

£37,995

2L
491.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,900

Finance available £512 pm

2L
27.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Seraph Cars

01923587567 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,152

1.5L
2.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,750

Finance available £344 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.2 TSI 85 S 5dr Just 45K Miles

Low Mileage

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.2L
45.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Clives Autos Quayside

01206482938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI R 5-Door

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
74.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

A1 Autos

02890023133 *

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 Present)

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

* 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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