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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style DSG + 18' CATANIA BLACK ALLOYS + REAR T 5-Door

£27,450

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£2,995

1.6L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Boyslade Garage Ltd

01455241641 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,522

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 Golf SE Nav TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£7,660

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
99.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Reduced

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
35.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 300PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,981

2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
24.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,995

79.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Pavillion Car Sales - Brighton

01273095269 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,499

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£16,990

Finance available £274 pm

2L
38.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Radius Vehicle Solutions

02890023225 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps) - USB AUDIO - SPLIT FOL

£9,282

Finance available £174 pm

56.2K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

2L
59.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Sandiforths

01909498742 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,498

1.5L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£20,998

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£7,000

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DCX Car Sales

02890023222 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Prosper Autos Ltd

01282501861 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BOWEN AUTOMOTIVE LTD

01685706038 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - MATCH TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,499

1.4L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

£21,083

1.5L
32.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

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 (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.