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.

5,178 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.6L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£18,599

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - TSI R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£26,195

Finance available £518 pm

2L
41.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual (154 g/km, 138 bhp)

£1,299

2L
287.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AA Car Sales Ltd

01243211485 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,800

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

County Motorparks Chelmsford

01245678762 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£13,389

1.5L
86.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,298

1L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£44,495

Finance available £894 pm

2L
245.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bespoke Motor Works Ltd

01642937532 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match MPV 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Automatic

Low Mileage

£13,895

1.5L
45.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Sinclair Direct Bridgend

01656339498 *

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

Low Mileage

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
57.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Derbyshire Performance

01332419213 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI SE 3dr - £20 TAX

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ashby Square Autos

01509272327 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0 FSI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,490

2L
103.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Space Motors Limited

01582280664 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

£4,695

Finance available £83 pm

1.6L
102.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

LM Motor Company - Kilbirnie

01505800535 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line EVO

£21,495

1.5L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Clifby Motor Centre

01422410533 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,881

Finance available £332 pm

2L
67.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,991

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
85.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cardiff Trade Sales Ltd

02922679489 *

Volkswagen Golf2004 (04) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Southend Auto Sales Ltd

01702908029 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - MK7 Facelift 5d 1.0 TSI (115ps) Match Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,250

1L
34.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 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 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 (2016 to 2020)

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
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 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.