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.

5,237 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£2,689

1.6L
172.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BEECHES MOTOR ZONE LTD

01535280436 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.0 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,455

Finance available £189 pm

1L
73.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,440

Finance available £55 pm

2L
121.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOMOTIVE PRESTIGE LTD

01162162548 *

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

£11,555

Finance available £217 pm

1L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Reduced

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

1.4L
8.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,999

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stoneacre Stoke - Stoneacre Select

01782986854 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,675

Finance available £60 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Barnyard Trade Cars Limited

01788227357 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - BLUETOOT

Low Mileage

£18,943

Finance available £377 pm

1.5L
19.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,100

Finance available £300 pm

1.5L
38.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
37.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fitzroy Motor Co

01425203840 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI GT EVO 150PS DSG | Heated Seats | Sport Suspension 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,990

1.5L
17.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Grosvenor Cars Norfolk

01493808752 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE NAVIGATION TSI EVO DSG Semi Auto 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,990

1.5L
36.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FJ Chalke Nissan - Wincanton

01963400995 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 R 5d 298 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£14,445

Finance available £300 pm

2L
57.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BRG AutoHub

02891249536 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£11,400

Finance available £206 pm

1.6L
43.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr Bluemotion

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

2L
148.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Birmingham Motors Ltd

01217525226 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£25,990

Finance available £491 pm

2L
50.0
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

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

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 (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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