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.

5,115 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,990

2L
9.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

2L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£32,980

Finance available £628 pm

2L
50.0
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£11,900

Finance available £248 pm

1.5L
84.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,990

1.4L
13.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Penton Citroen Salisbury

01722445449 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,795

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,999

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£20,500

2L
48.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.4L
104.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Trunk Road Budget Cars

01642061101 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,475

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
44.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oasis Cars Ltd

01474556253 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
27.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Best Car 4 You Ltd

01416118629 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Worlingham Motor Company

01502441250 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,000

Finance available £273 pm

1L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£26,395

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Auto

£18,994

1.5L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£14,400

1.5L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£22,499

1.5L
25.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

TrustFord Ballymena

02890022273 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

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

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