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.

5,263 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Reduced

£25,990

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - CLIMATE

Low Mileage

£17,761

Finance available £352 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

£18,630

1.5L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style DSG 5-Door

£15,897

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
53.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Lincoln

01522459088 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£28,063

1.5L
2.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf1998 - LEFT HAND DRIVE 1.8 GTi 20V TURBO LIMITED EDITION 137 BHP 5DR HATCH

Reduced

£4,295

2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chesham Left Hand Drive Centre

01494296463 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - Match TSI 1.4 122 PS BMT 5-Door

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
84.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dapper Motors

01745776770 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£25,998

2L
28.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat/Abarth (Glasgow)

01416118816 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,790

2L
23.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£33,995

2L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,989

Finance available £411 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
88.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Roadside Garages

02870449515 *

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

£17,900

Finance available £347 pm

2L
64.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£30,174

2L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

2L
101.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,498

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Vauxhall / Peugeot

01224010176 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sr Motor Group

01753379107 *

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

£14,998

1.5L
74.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hodgson Specialist Cars Ltd

01942365192 *

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

Low Mileage

£7,195

1.6L
51.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

RISHTON AUTO CARE LIMITED

01254919190 *

4.5/5 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 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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