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.

5,311 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion - Automatic - part ex to clear 5-Door

£1,500

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Llandarcy Car Sales

01639501388 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG Auto

£23,668

1.4L
4.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
126.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhouse Citroen Coleford

01594800684 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors (FRS) Ltd

01346410646 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - AMBI

Low Mileage

£15,028

Finance available £294 pm

1.6L
30.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,498

1.5L
27.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (East Kilbride)

01355203634 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,970

1.5L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

£30,000

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£28,400

Finance available £612 pm

2L
9.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£18,949

Finance available £389 pm

1.5L
37.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01224453394 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,749

Finance available £476 pm

1.4L
7.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,699

Finance available £239 pm

1.4L
59.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

RH Motor Sales Ltd

01594801996 *

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

Low Mileage

£22,450

Finance available £441 pm

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav 5-Door

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

1.4L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,595

Finance available £58 pm

2L
128.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

I & B CARS

01636554116 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport S 3dr

Low Mileage

£39,995

Finance available £801 pm

2L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Volkservice

01253209357 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,295

2L
59.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,850

Finance available £367 pm

2L
23.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Leicester

01164646061 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£31,176

Finance available £647 pm

2L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

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 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

* 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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