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.

5,292 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£31,250

2L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,054

2L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Bristol Cribbs Causeway

01172331393 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,699

1.5L
65.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars Prestige Car Supermarket

01904238447 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,998

1.5L
3.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£13,350

2L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bob Davies Car Sales

01495362191 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - MK7 Facelift 1.6 TDI Match Edition 115PS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,500

Finance available £302 pm

1.6L
33.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Perth

01738230206 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,964

1.5L
26.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Bromley

02037587414 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
115.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Performa Motors Limited

01733794291 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG Auto

£24,740

1.4L
16.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
27.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Best Car 4 You Ltd

01416118629 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£15,900

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Liberty Green Cars

01329559706 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - Match Edition 1.6 TDI 110 PS 5-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£9,517

1.6L
65.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Preston)

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI (130ps) Life EVO DSG Estate 5-Door

£20,491

1.5L
16.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£6,595

Finance available £125 pm

1.6L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AR Auto Sales Ltd

01312025143 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,681

Finance available £127 pm

1.2L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
33.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£36,764

2L
1.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,489

1.5L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 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

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

* 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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

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