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.

5,213 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£8,695

1.6L
115.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,798

1L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (East Kilbride)

01355203632 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hatfields

01302248814 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
82.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oakways Car Sales

01217525803 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

£22,500

Finance available £442 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,999

Finance available £422 pm

2L
55.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motor Match Stockport

01614139889 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2004 (04) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Southend Auto Sales Ltd

01702908029 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£17,499

1.4L
53.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kirkham Part Ex Centre

01772348362 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,900

Finance available £281 pm

1.5L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,990

Finance available £493 pm

2L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 130 Ps

£15,999

1.5L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Alnwick

01665660970 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,399

Finance available £556 pm

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birmingham

01217525223 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Active 5dr

£17,498

1L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£34,300

Finance available £729 pm

2L
8.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (12

£8,975

Finance available £178 pm

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,447

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,695

Finance available £194 pm

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr + SPACE SAVER

£20,951

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

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

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