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.

5,403 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,816

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Peugeot Cambridge

01223622672 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,795

Finance available £308 pm

2L
77.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FifthGear Fenton LTD

01782969739 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£11,400

1.5L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,999

1.6L
175.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARHUB MK LTD

01908010437 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
91.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Elm Motor Company

01752749650 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

1.6L
8.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J.A.Hegarty Motors

02890023678 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£5,949

Finance available £111 pm

1.4L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Cars 4 U

02038731380 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£29,599

Finance available £626 pm

2L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

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

Low Mileage

£31,989

Finance available £637 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,247

1.5L
21.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

£23,999

Finance available £472 pm

2L
53.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sansoms Specialist Cars Limited

01916077550 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
121.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,599

Finance available £360 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£11,950

Finance available £225 pm

1L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stan Hill Motors

01254457273 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(63) - GREAT SPEC - LOW MILES - GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

COSMIC CAR SALES LTD

01992367356 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,998

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,650

Finance available £305 pm

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£12,195

Finance available £250 pm

2L
77.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Harvey One Motors

01793268069 *

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 (2016 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 / 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

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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