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.

5,532 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

£105/pm (HP)

1.6L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gleam Clean

01903255198 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 3dr

£3,495

1.6L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 Etsi 150 Match 5Dr Dsg

Low Mileage

£24,299

1.5L
4.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Battersea Volkswagen

02037636641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Launch Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,985

£268/pm (HP)

2L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Atomcars Ltd

01482947769 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£14,995

£231/pm (PCP)

2L
59.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Coopers Cars (South West) Limited

01278555831 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr

£16,995

£336/pm (HP)

2L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CJS Car Sales ltd

01229440568 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 Golf SE Nav TSi BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

£11,630

£233/pm (HP)

1.4L
68.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - R-Line EVO 1.5 TSI ( 150 bhp ) 5-Door

£13,995

£273/pm (HP)

1.5L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elgin Autos

01343610498 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.4L TSI-AUTOMATIC-ULEZ/CAZ PASS-FREE 15MONTHS GOLD WARRANTY & 12MONTHS AA

Reduced

£6,999

£126/pm (HP)

1.4L
49.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carolina Motors UK

01733666958 *

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

£16,795

2L
39.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,625

2L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorline Direct Ltd

01164646188 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,400

£431/pm (PCP)

2L
65.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Seraph Cars

01923587567 *

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

£14,199

1.5L
57.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

1.6L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Steve Newman Car Sales

01704337332 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,295

2L
47.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - GTI 2.0 TFSI HATCHBACK PETROL MANUAL 3 DOOR 198PS RARE 3 DOOR-40K MILES

Reduced

£9,995

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Smiley Car & Commercial Ltd

01206580387 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Heated Seats Front and Rear sensors Apple car p

Low Mileage

£19,739

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

TrustFord Ballymena

02890022273 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) Fro

£10,750

1L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,195

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Sunderland

01918146406 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 3d 148 BHP 3-Door

£9,495

£178/pm (HP)

2L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Ltd (Straiton)

01665660510 *

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 (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

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.