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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£4,980

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vision Motors Direct - Haydock

01942367552 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CARS YARD

02039577371 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nicolson Motor Group

01522440082 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,498

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Dundee Vauxhall / Fiat / Abarth

01382768498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,795

Finance available £62 pm

1.4L
62.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Reading Cars

01182071736 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£3,290

Finance available £51 pm

2L
133.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor House

02039104775 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI MK8 Facelift 2024 2.0 TSI (265ps) DSG Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£37,500

2L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

£28,049

Finance available £592 pm

2L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,785

Finance available £247 pm

1L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Swansway Honda Bolton

01204323443 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG Ã¢ Head up DisplayÃ¢

Low Mileage

£30,599

Finance available £582 pm

1.5L
2.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,777

Finance available £200 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SIMPSON MOTORS

01383347764 *

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

Reduced

£25,490

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Active 5dr DSG

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
79.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

IJ Motors & Commercials

02890023175 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£21,490

Finance available £421 pm

2L
27.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Black Edition 5dr DSG

£31,990

1.5L
627.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 210HP ADIDAS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
66.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Halliday Automotive

02820440848 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£15,395

1L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DCX Car Sales

02890023222 *

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 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 (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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