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.

5,206 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.4L TSI-AUTOMATIC-ULEZ/CAZ PASS-FREE 18MONTHS GOLD WARRANTY & 12MONTHS AA

Low Mileage

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
49.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carolina Motors UK

01733666958 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (58) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,994

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TMB Van Sales

01618042445 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£8,450

2L
44.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Valley Cars and Classics Ltd

01488500852 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Clubsport S Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£34,490

Finance available £688 pm

2L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

PM Car Sales

01916070522 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£12,750

1.4L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,590

1L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Audi Portsmouth

02394211407 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 3dr

Reduced

£4,595

2L
146.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JS Motors

07804653822 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,600

Finance available £147 pm

1.6L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

St Clements Cars

01553605040 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£4,495

1.6L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Point Road Cars

02895908334 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr [Nav]

Reduced

£6,495

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£34,698

2L
15.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore / BYD (Linwood)

01414736404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,493

Finance available £346 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£24,990

Finance available £493 pm

2L
4.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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

Reduced

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

1.6L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,000

1.6L
45.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wootton Motor Company

01553602430 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1.8 GTi 3dr

Reduced

£4,595

1.8L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlan Motors (London) Ltd

02038895374 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (53) - 2016 - 16 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
74.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Run About Autos LTD

01756636620 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

BMR NI

02890023178 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,198

1.5L
38.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

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 *

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 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 (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

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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