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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
69.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOTRADE BIRMINGHAM LTD

01217525773 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,899

Finance available £523 pm

2L
8.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£9,400

Finance available £135 pm

1L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Berkshire Auto Specialists

01628562332 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,999

Finance available £394 pm

2L
48.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace4Cars LTD

01217287421 *

Volkswagen Golf(16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG 5-Door

£9,499

91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Prime Carz Ltd

01162162528 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 Golf Life eTSI Semi-Auto 5dr

£18,500

1L
3.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

LMC Cars

01708206105 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,450

1.5L
13.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stratstone BMW Milton Keynes

01908104093 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 MATCH TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 103 BHP 5-Door

£5,490

1.6L
104.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

QPX Wheels

01616965741 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£25,990

2L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI S 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,449

1.4L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Starlight Motors Limited

01525308845 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,550

Finance available £347 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

West Motors

01212722013 *

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 Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,789

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Bournemouth

01202068625 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Reduced

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
51.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£9,000

2L
71.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Bridgend Ford

01656336637 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr

£9,995

2L
87.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Good Autos

02897440336 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£24,979

Finance available £493 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

01436647028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Birtley Motorstore / MG / Vanstore

01916070584 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,249

Finance available £309 pm

1.5L
25.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 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 (2016 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 / 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

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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