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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£16,660

Finance available £329 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (64) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Motor Yard Ltd

02038933668 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 S Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (80 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,000

Finance available £45 pm

1.4L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drive Next

01869221886 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,890

2L
38.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,898

2L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow BMW

01416119940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1991 - Gti 16V 3-Door

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

1.8L
147.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,695

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 - 2.0 TDI GT Diesel Manual 5 Door

£2,795

2L
171.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bristol Auto Hub

01172331341 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - Wagon/Estate Automatic 5-Door

Reduced

£5,650

Finance available £104 pm

1.2L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

NS Auto Trading Ltd

02039577375 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,290

Finance available £342 pm

1.5L
37.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,694

Finance available £150 pm

1.4L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£17,698

1.5L
36.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,950

Finance available £312 pm

2L
86.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO R-Line 5-Door

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

1.5L
102.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Avenue Cars of Gloucester Ltd

01452227348 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI Active 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£20,579

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,199

Finance available £420 pm

1.5L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

Low Mileage

£9,980

Finance available £196 pm

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,098

1.5L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Salford Vauxhall/Fiat/Abarth/MG/Jeep

01612417060 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£34,495

2L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bulgari Performance Ltd

01274087667 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 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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