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 Golf2022 (72) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Style EVO + 18' DALLAS + KEYLESS + REAR

Low Mileage

£19,442

1.5L
20.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£21,490

1.5L
5.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,898

2L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow BMW

01416119940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£17,246

Finance available £334 pm

1.4L
51.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Cardiff

02921675772 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
19.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
71.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Radius Vehicle Solutions

02890023225 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 - R32 DSG AUTO 4 MOTION

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

3.2L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

IMPORT AUTOS LIMITED

01628565038 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 5dr 1.5 TSi 150 Style

Low Mileage

£25,995

1.5L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Used Cars Shoreham-by-Sea

01273093609 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,389

Finance available £312 pm

1.5L
25.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,249

Finance available £140 pm

2L
63.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Uppingham Car Sales

01572490993 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Black Edition 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£30,500

1.5L
3.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,989

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
133.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
61.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zeus Cars Limited

01234237525 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Stoke on Trent)

01782432704 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Style Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 5-Door

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.2L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HT NIHON MOTORS LTD

01162165685 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
36.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS Hatch 5 Dr Automatic

Reduced

£28,000

1.5L
2.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£35,498

2L
10.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Stirling)

01786232223 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,498

2L
31.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow Garscube Road Vauxhall / Leapmotor

01414736408 *

4.7/5 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

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

* 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.