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.

5,331 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,799

Finance available £308 pm

1.4L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £271 pm

1L
54.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps

Low Mileage

£9,900

Finance available £199 pm

1.6L
60.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,998

1.6L
59.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot/SEAT/Cupra/Skoda (Edinburgh)

01312025128 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

£2,500

2L
177.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

4motion Cars

01733977717 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,498

2L
66.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Linwood Hyundai / Mazda / GWM / Used Car Centre

01414060040 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,695

Finance available £217 pm

2L
80.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Divers Motors Company Ltd

01392537495 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £157 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RW MOTORS Ltd

02890026905 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£31,990

Finance available £511 pm

2L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,498

1.6L
37.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Stafford Motorstore / BYD / Vanstore / Electric

01785550896 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 Tdi Life 5Dr Dsg

£20,744

2L
22.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Scotswood Road

01916077232 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

New Look Motors

01216618627 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4M DSGÃ¢ 19' 'Warmenau' alloy, R performanc 5-Door

£44,989

Finance available £941 pm

2L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,993

Finance available £156 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Beep Beep Cars Ltd

01913232953 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Reduced

£7,250

Finance available £151 pm

1.6L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Joseph David Simm Ltd

01670339826 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - CAR-

Low Mileage

£12,053

Finance available £237 pm

1.5L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£19,750

Finance available £414 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

McCague Motors

02890023778 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£15,980

Finance available £335 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Westbourne Professional Ltd

01143086599 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,740

1.5L
27.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

£18,849

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

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 (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

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