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.

5,238 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Highline DSG Auto ULEZ LEATHER 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

1.4L
60.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bros Motors

01613887634 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI (EVO) 2023MY Style Edition 5-Door

£21,480

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,481

Finance available £216 pm

1.6L
61.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vanbase - Bristol

01174400104 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0 GT Sport TDI 3dr

Low Mileage

£1,895

2L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cardiff Cars Sales

02920028847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,495

1.5L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

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

Low Mileage

£26,990

1.5L
388.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,498

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£8,500

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mersea Car Sales

01206489531 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDi 110 SE 5dr

£1,750

2L
155.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EH Traders Ltd

01274059188 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,370

Finance available £254 pm

1.4L
41.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - S TSI 5-Door

£3,999

1.2L
133.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), Bluemotion Tech, Match Edition, 5 Door, Manual, Euro 6.

Low Mileage

£10,499

1.4L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion 5dr + 20 TAX / DAB / BLUETOOTH / AIR CON / 83 MPG +

Low Mileage

£7,975

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

1.6L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Preseli Car Sales

01834820915 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,499

Finance available £359 pm

2L
42.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

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

Low Mileage

£16,076

Finance available £323 pm

1.5L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,523

2L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,490

Finance available £544 pm

1.4L
5.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
21.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

WYNFORD SPECIALIST MOTORS LIMITED

01217288702 *

0/5 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 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

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