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.

5,258 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,341

Finance available £231 pm

1.4L
69.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£18,888

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALIZ WORLD LIMITED

01582342206 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
91.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Orchard Car Sales Ltd

01256633756 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£33,020

2L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr Diesel Estate

Low Mileage

£25,816

2L
5.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,950

Finance available £389 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carnet Car Sales

02828440678 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
24.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1989 (F) - 1.8 GTI 2dr

Reduced

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.8L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

T and T Motors

01924665188 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£23,498

2L
23.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Aberdeen

01224678298 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MSR PRESTIGE LTD

01254919241 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£24,829

Finance available £500 pm

1.5L
12.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (BJ) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,995

2L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Essex Car Group

01277286584 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£39,995

Finance available £801 pm

1.4L
99.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

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

£11,995

Finance available £241 pm

2L
110.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,000

Finance available £534 pm

2L
17.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BINCA Retail

01908765663 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,300

Finance available £265 pm

1.5L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,698

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leyland)

01772283744 *

4.7/5 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

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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