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.

5,542 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,988

£147/pm (HP)

1.2L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,049

£290/pm (PCP)

1.5L
14.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps) 1 LADY OWNER SINC

Low Mileage

£7,999

£147/pm (HP)

1.4L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ben Clark Automobiles

01306772439 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Reduced

£16,995

£336/pm (HP)

2L
50.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hudson Autos

01621734609 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - KEYLESS ST

Low Mileage

£17,610

£279/pm (PCP)

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Portsmouth

01329551291 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,680

2L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Preston

01772595651 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£9,495

£178/pm (HP)

1.6L
83.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S R Motors Penarth

02922672883 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,399

£366/pm (HP)

1.4L
15.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£38,940

10.0
Miles
Not Supplied
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,999

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - PARK SENSOR

£20,043

£317/pm (PCP)

2L
45.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - Life 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£13,348

1.5L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£5,750

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Juno Cars

01282501863 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,200

£184/pm (PCP)

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,989

£390/pm (HP)

2L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

A6 Motors Limited

01525300677 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£7,995

£147/pm (HP)

1L
103.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Clacton Car Sales Ltd

01255442059 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,295

£48/pm (HP)

2L
109.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

£252/pm (HP)

2L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Three Pines Garage Limited

01885477786 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Golf Hatch Match 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door

£28,558

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£2,995

1.6L
166.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Brooke Motors

02039537428 *

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

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

lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/lHUz0lVPyUY/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

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 (2016 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 / 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

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

* 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.