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.

5,175 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£29,698

2L
14.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,000

Finance available £306 pm

1.5L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,200

1.6L
147.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wilson Wheels

01708973692 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

Reduced

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOMANIA MOTORS GROUP LTD

01182058871 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

B S Marson & Sons

01782390973 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Alltrack Tsi 4Motion Dsg

Low Mileage

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.8L
13.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Ej's Cars Limited

01782432157 *

Volkswagen Golf2.0 TDI Match 5dr Turbo Diesel Automatic DSG Euro 6 (150 ps) **LOCALLY OWNE

£11,295

2L
82.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhouse Citroen Coleford

01594800684 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,990

1.5L
5.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,998

2L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
48.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

One Stop Motors Dewsbury

01924665170 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£5,795

1.6L
65.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TAYLORS HILL MOTORS LTD

01767661737 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£21,500

Finance available £449 pm

1.4L
20.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/

£10,990

2L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Formula One Car Centre

01324374133 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,998

2L
59.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Preston)

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI GTI 2dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,995

2L
61.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Black Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,998

1.5L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 3-Door

£4,250

2L
146.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (Y) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr DSG

£7,195

Finance available £138 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SK CAR COMPANY LTD

01384885534 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 Etsi 150 Match 5Dr Dsg

£29,980

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Teeside

01642573413 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£29,781

2L
2.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 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 2020)

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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