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.

5,192 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

£12,998

1L
66.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Ayr Kia

01292434388 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£29,300

Finance available £581 pm

2L
23.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Kingsbridge

01904237124 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,995

1.4L
64.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Maguire's Belfast

02890023126 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£14,999

1.5L
32.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

£5,250

1.4L
108.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

KC KARS UK

01332418996 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,483

2L
10.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£20,991

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,800

Finance available £152 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£23,000

Finance available £482 pm

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GT TSI EVO 5-Door

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
60.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Southwest Motor Company

01752982529 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£18,081

Finance available £389 pm

1.5L
27.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 1.6 SE 5dr Auto

Reduced

£1,795

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zen Cars Walsall Ltd

01922664680 *

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

£19,849

Finance available £408 pm

1.5L
46.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,998

1.5L
24.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (West Calder)

01506533740 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motors2Go Ltd

01302712556 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£19,989

1.4L
45.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

£12,990

1.4L
63.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuckfield Motor Company

01444221468 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£25,495

Finance available £503 pm

2L
99.0
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

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

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 (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.