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.

5,304 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,999

Finance available £542 pm

1.4L
2.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI 13KWH STYLE 5 DOOR DSG

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.4L
36.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Bespoke Motor Works Ltd

01642937532 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr [Performance Pack]

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
92.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Shaw Motor Group Ltd

01616720264 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,290

2L
33.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,989

Finance available £252 pm

1.5L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,198

1L
44.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,695

Finance available £172 pm

1.5L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A&A Auto Sales

01832778585 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,490

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 2.0 TSI (320ps) R 4Motion DSG Estate Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£37,700

2L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,995

Finance available £698 pm

2L
11.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION DSG [2X SERVICES, SAT NAV, LEATHER, HEATED SEATS & PANORA 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,485

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Brooklands Motor Centres

01135321282 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

£7,995

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wheels In Motion Sherborne

01935311739 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,799

Finance available £587 pm

2L
14.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD DSG 5-Door

£27,197

Finance available £562 pm

2L
18.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,872

2L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,526

1.5L
5.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,317

Finance available £463 pm

1.5L
7.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SM Motors NI

02827440451 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
62.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

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 (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

* 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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