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.

5,403 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 GTI CLUBSPORT S 3d 306 BHP 3-Door

Reduced

£29,500

Finance available £586 pm

2L
27.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Praters Of Hollingdon LLP

01525308854 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£24,490

Finance available £483 pm

1.5L
6.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£13,499

1.4L
44.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,000

Finance available £446 pm

1.5L
6.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£24,979

Finance available £493 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

01436647028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI (150ps) Match Ed EVO DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,000

1.5L
18.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle 4 Cars

02382146222 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£26,000

Finance available £514 pm

2L
51.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.6L
104.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£17,440

2L
75.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Solihull)

01215160456 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

1.4L
19.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cambridge Motors

02037637059 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,599

Finance available £403 pm

2L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,900

Finance available £553 pm

1.5L
4.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

S McAfee & Son

02825440920 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,698

1.6L
23.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,998

2L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (East Kilbride)

01355203630 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - WIFI - BLUETO

£14,352

2L
48.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Swift Car Sales Lillyhall

01900511074 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,995

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,100

Finance available £299 pm

1.6L
25.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

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 2016)

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 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

* 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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