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.

5,110 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,495

1.6L
82.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JR Motors Livingston Ltd

01506353424 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,399

1.4L
81.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CARHUB MK LTD

01908010437 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,379

Finance available £365 pm

1.4L
40.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£9,900

Finance available £199 pm

1.4L
77.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£25,000

2L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark MINI Aberdeen

01224453648 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,097

Finance available £409 pm

1.5L
25.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI (130ps) Life EVO DSG Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,449

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE (Nav) 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,750

1.4L
37.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Honda Northampton

01604343516 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift R-Line 1.5TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£27,499

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£38,790

2L
3.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,490

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
81.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cantilever Car Centre

01925917573 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 GTD TDI DSG 5DR Semi Automatic

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

APC LTD

01744412068 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,400

Finance available £218 pm

1.5L
64.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4TSi GT 5 DOOR DSG AUTO 138 BHP (EURO 6)

Low Mileage

£11,990

1.4L
33.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ashington Autodrome

01670336672 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Reduced

£13,995

2L
123.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Opus Automotive Cars Ltd

01422411402 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,599

Finance available £341 pm

2L
32.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,300

1.5L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (3D) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,995

1.5L
54.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

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

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