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.

5,283 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,690

Finance available £60 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Shayan's Motor Company Ltd

01924978962 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,100

Finance available £312 pm

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,998

2L
18.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (East Kilbride)

01355203634 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,295

1L
53.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Hatch Style 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door Auto

£31,224

1.5L
4.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - TSI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,795

1.2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 3d 148 BHP 3-Door

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
110.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

New York Car Sales

01709288262 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,499

Finance available £336 pm

1.5L
40.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Mark 8 Facelift Black Edition 1.5 TSI (150ps) + TECH/PARKING PACK Manual 5-Door

£29,998

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

£17,499

Finance available £369 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,994

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£29,790

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5-Door

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.6L
55.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Atlantic Motors

01736806430 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,330

Finance available £275 pm

1.5L
73.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,299

1.9L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Z a motors

01785336152 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle 4 Cars

02382146222 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

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

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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