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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Reduced

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
81.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Clives Autos Quayside

01206482938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,000

Finance available £281 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Reduced

£3,649

Finance available £59 pm

1.6L
144.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Audi Technik Centre

01412601247 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 S 5dr New MOT included

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hamilton Motors

01562541393 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

2L
109.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,229

Finance available £324 pm

2L
51.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£24,300

Finance available £479 pm

30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Richard Nash Cars Ltd

01603931816 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (Z4) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,475

2L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leeds Roseville Road)

01134689402 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,996

1.5L
11.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Reduced

£13,799

Finance available £286 pm

2L
80.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

N K Motors Chilwell

01156977727 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,000

Finance available £302 pm

1L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

Reduced

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
66.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Riviera Car Centre Ltd

01803225282 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

16.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£11,339

Finance available £236 pm

1.4L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£17,298

1.5L
29.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow London Road Motorstore / Vanstore

01416118432 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,312

2L
52.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Renault Exeter

01392798455 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,200

Finance available £49 pm

1.6L
147.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wilson Wheels

01708973692 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GH Motor Sales

01172331339 *

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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