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.

5,204 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - GTE MK8 Facelift 1.5 TSI (272ps) DSG + 18' CATANIA BLACK ALLOYS + AREA VIEW 5-Door

£33,950

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,790

1.5L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall SEAT Braintree

01376312248 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R TSI 4MOTION DSG -CAMERA -SPIELBERG ALLOYS -APPLE CARPLAY -KEYLESS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - GTI PERFORMANCE TSI DSG 3-Door

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Williams Automotive Ltd

01235636668 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,529

1.5L
25.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£22,714

1.5L
9.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.4L
92.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf(62) - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,000

66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £265 pm

2L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG 5-Door

£16,499

Finance available £346 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Terminus Road

01424234748 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
92.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,500

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.6L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Armagh Auto Sales

02837442284 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 1.9 TDI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.9L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

PX Cars Ltd

01924667043 *

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

£21,649

2L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Browns of Richmond

01748900788 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£29,746

2L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (58) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,994

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TMB Van Sales

01618042445 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£10,490

Finance available £212 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AQ CAR SALES LIMITED

01709223120 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£30,469

2L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

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 5dr 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.