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.

5,135 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 1.9 SE TDI 5dr

£995

1.9L
260.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

M & Y Car Sales

01952984337 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
101.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Twin Car Sales Ltd

01255449987 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Central

01217287201 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,800

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£18,899

1.5L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 R DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
72.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

North Coast Cars

01463213946 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

A&A Auto Sales

01832778585 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5

Reduced

£6,995

1.4L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jefferies Car Centre Ltd

01373489224 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - 17IN ALL

£14,369

Finance available £281 pm

1.5L
72.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

2L
96.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Blackline Motors Ltd

01618042356 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£15,181

1.5L
54.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
99.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars and Commercials

02890022225 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
83.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CKB Cars

02894330177 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,698

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

£2,795

2L
130.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chapel Hill Motors

01484506279 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

100

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

D N Trade Motors Ltd

01145537267 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,144

Finance available £459 pm

2L
49.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 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 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 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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