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.

5,527 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 1.9 TDI Match 5dr

£700

1.9L
170.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Birmingham Cars Ltd

01217215770 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

£12,495

£241/pm (HP)

2L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

My Next Car

01767669358 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) Manual

£13,290

£258/pm (HP)

1.4L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Days Cardiff

02920021261 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£18,800

£279/pm (PCP)

1.4L
19.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf(22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,300

46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 19.7kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£35,990

10.0
Miles
Not Supplied
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,491

1.5L
18.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£14,021

1L
73.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Glyn Hopkin Nissan Bishops Stortford

01279215093 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

£63/pm (HP)

1.4L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf(15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,490

59.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Tiley of Bristol

01174404957 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,700

1.5L
50.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2004 (04) - GTi 5 DOOR

Reduced

£1,795

2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Brooke Motors

02039537428 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£25,495

1.5L
10.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,950

£313/pm (PCP)

1.5L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamilton Grays Ltd

07816430599 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) FULL VW S/H!! 1

£18,495

2L
36.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - GOLF 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£20,391

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 - Gti 16V 3-Door

Low Mileage

£18,495

1.8L
147.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,795

1.6L
133.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hanson Car Sales

01522467377 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,869

£291/pm (HP)

2L
85.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SR Motors

01793268063 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Tsi Life 5Dr

Low Mileage

£16,542

1.5L
21.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Volkswagen Teeside

01642573413 *

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 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 (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.