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.

5,301 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - HEATED S

Low Mileage

£20,277

Finance available £405 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,850

Finance available £332 pm

2L
54.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Black Edition 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£30,500

1.5L
3.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,898

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Inverness MINI

01463210682 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
98.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

One Stop Motors Dewsbury

01924665170 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

3.2L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,499

Finance available £190 pm

2L
79.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Aberdare Auto Trade Limited

01685702343 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,349

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr - 69900 MILES - SAT NAV - F+R SENSORS - FSH

Low Mileage

£11,890

Finance available £243 pm

2L
69.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Kudos Car Sales

01206489525 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£1,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£28,998

2L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift 1.4 TSI GTE 204PS DSG Automatic 5-Door

£15,000

1.4L
61.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
4.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,800

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
43.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,899

Finance available £501 pm

1.5L
5.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£24,298

1.5L
20.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£14,751

1.5L
51.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,498

1.6L
21.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore Kia/MG (Liverpool)

01513179472 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

£16,450

Finance available £345 pm

2L
61.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McGrath Motors

02886273065 *

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 (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 3dr 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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