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.

5,896 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (12) - match 5-Door

£6,900

£124/pm (HP)

1.4L
58.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,999

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - SE Tsi Bluemotion Technology Dsg 1.2 5dr Estate Automatic Petrol

Low Mileage

£8,800

£164/pm (HP)

1.2L
49.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

My Car Place

01256630773 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£17,498

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hyundai (Glasgow)

01416118684 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Reduced

£23,490

£347/pm (PCP)

1.4L
26.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,498

1L
64.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Fiat/Kiat/Abarth/BYD

01316036422 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) 1 FOR

Low Mileage

£19,395

1.5L
27.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,499

1.5L
10.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (K) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£6,950

2L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

KAMS AUTOS LTD

01922664527 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R-Line Edition TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£10,050

£198/pm (HP)

2L
98.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,750

£226/pm (HP)

2L
85.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Magna Motor Group

01925597096 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,395

2L
32.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Riverside Honda Wakefield

01924927475 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£12,990

1.4L
75.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Formula One Car Centre

01324374133 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£16,408

£275/pm (PCP)

2L
30.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 380ps R 5dr 4MOTION DSG - Immaculate - Ghost - Huge Spec - Look!!

£17,995

£458/pm (PCP)

2L
84.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro6 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,795

£164/pm (HP)

1.2L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motors Deals Ltd

01612416399 *

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

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (15) - GTI TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,999

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SK Car Traders Limited

01274015074 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi R-Line 5Dr

Low Mileage

£20,490

1.5L
8.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Usedirect Belfast 62 Boucher Road

02890022260 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

W R Davies Toyota Shrewsbury

01743295540 *

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

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 3dr DSG

* 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.