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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI SE BLUEMOTION 5-Door

£7,499

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Dorset Road

01424230370 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,498

1.4L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Dumbarton)

01389310597 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£19,891

1.4L
26.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,945

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sean O'Hara Cars

02890026918 *

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£11,490

71.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Space Motors Limited

01582280664 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leyland)

01772283744 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG TOP SPEC

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car World Motors Ltd

01924668250 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALPINE MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED

01382238351 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£38,790

2L
3.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,012

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Charles Hurst Usedirect/ Premium Direct - Dundon

02890022199 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,990

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
62.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Bolton

01204584597 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£20,498

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£16,298

1.5L
62.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Glasgow)

01414068758 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Toccar

01652247128 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Sussex Ltd

01403334227 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£27,925

Finance available £529 pm

1.5L
50.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£12,995

2L
47.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sterling Motor Group Ltd

02039537434 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£16,791

1.5L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall BYD Maidstone

01622231659 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,190

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
23.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Riverside Sports & Prestige

01924975090 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£6,300

1.4L
130.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Finance Carshop Limited

01165093339 *

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

* 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.