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.

5,078 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£11,290

Finance available £230 pm

2L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - LED

£12,960

Finance available £251 pm

2L
49.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,500

Finance available £399 pm

2L
18.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,600

Finance available £252 pm

1.5L
39.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI 140 Semi-Auto 5dr

£5,150

Finance available £93 pm

2L
105.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Grays of Holbeach

01406430115 *

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

£1,795

1.6L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£9,500

1.6L
80.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,100

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,154

Finance available £505 pm

1.5L
5.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,349

1.5L
25.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf GTD 5dr

£11,850

Finance available £242 pm

2L
73.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SKV Motors

01708202983 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

£11,890

1L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,600

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£10,731

1.4L
46.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TDI GT 150PS DSG Esta Automatic 5-Door

£20,490

Finance available £400 pm

2L
8.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,076

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Peugeot Cambridge

01223622672 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,300

Finance available £163 pm

1.6L
92.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£14,799

Finance available £299 pm

2L
65.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01312874330 *

4.3/5 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 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 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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