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.

5,156 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£16,709

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Stoke

01782358009 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

£19,000

1.5L
33.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,650

Finance available £126 pm

1.6L
79.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTO ONE XPRESS LTD

02037633726 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£17,490

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,950

2L
72.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

£9,900

Finance available £199 pm

1L
62.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Auto

Reduced

£19,278

1.5L
14.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,199

Finance available £406 pm

2L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
99.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Not Supplied

C M Car Sales

01773303785 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Philip Holland Cars

02893448897 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,095

Finance available £331 pm

1.4L
53.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,899

Finance available £370 pm

2L
33.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£12,990

1.4L
75.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Formula One Car Centre

01324374133 *

1.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
123.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crisps Paramount Garage Ltd

01728440893 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,695

Finance available £306 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£3,289

Finance available £51 pm

1.6L
186.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£18,495

1.5L
26.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,695

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
50.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gary White Car Sales

02890021986 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG Auto

£23,657

2L
35.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

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 (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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Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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