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.

5,820 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI GT 3-Door

£6,695

£120/pm (HP)

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,795

1.4L
107.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Cars and Commercials Ltd

01227203373 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,999

£147/pm (HP)

1.4L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ben Clark Automobiles

01306772439 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£10,745

£205/pm (HP)

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sean O'Hara Cars

02890026918 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£7,650

£140/pm (HP)

1.6L
99.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Cheshire Motor Car Sales Ltd

01618042270 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,400

£245/pm (PCP)

1.5L
49.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 SE TDI 5d 138 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

3.2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Mania

01614700093 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,980

£276/pm (PCP)

1L
22.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Tdi Bluemotion Tech Gt Estate 5dr Diesel Dsg Euro 5 s/s 150 Ps

£7,495

2L
98.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

EMG Motor Group Duxford

01223650664 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Tsi R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Dsg 4motion Euro 6 s/s 300 Ps

Low Mileage

£23,999

2L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EMG Motor Group Ipswich

01473354093 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 Golf Match Edition TSi BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,990

£284/pm (HP)

1.4L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - TSI Active 5-Door

£16,990

£274/pm (PCP)

1.5L
41.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Fresh Motors Ltd

01953665835 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,195

2L
72.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Perrys Preston Kia

01772289197 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,473

1.5L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£12,850

£249/pm (HP)

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,149

£333/pm (PCP)

1L
11.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 265 GTI 5dr DSG

£33,495

£484/pm (PCP)

2L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

My Next Car

01767669358 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£26,995

£396/pm (PCP)

2L
27.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorvana

01618042233 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI Style 5dr DSG

£21,995

£343/pm (PCP)

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Murray Volkswagen - Newton Abbot

01626241964 *

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 2020)

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.