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.

5,302 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,990

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£9,998

1.6L
78.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Birtley Motorstore / MG / Vanstore

01916070584 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£18,900

Finance available £368 pm

1.5L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4TSi GT 5 DOOR DSG AUTO 138 BHP (EURO 6)

Low Mileage

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ashington Autodrome

01670336672 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

2L
93.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Teesside Car Finance

01642937529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,499

Finance available £391 pm

2L
45.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Manual

£15,700

1.5L
35.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

£18,490

1.5L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) F

Reduced

£17,777

Finance available £345 pm

1.5L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,989

Finance available £411 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.4L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£29,993

2L
24.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI R-Line EVO 150PS 5Dr Manual

Low Mileage

£16,745

1.5L
34.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - R-LINE 2.0TDI S-A 150PS DSG AUTO 5 DOOR ESTATE EURO6

£14,024

Finance available £291 pm

2L
108.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Merthyr Motor Auctions

01685702344 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (51) - 1.4 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£695

1.4L
176.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elite Cars

01216618574 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,150

Finance available £338 pm

1L
27.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG SEMI-AUTO

Low Mileage

£23,196

1.5L
9.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

TrustFord Epsom

01372231864 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

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 2016)

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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