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.

5,465 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

£13,940

£238/pm (PCP)

1.5L
66.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

£31,892

2L
20.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R DSG 4WD 3dr

Low Mileage

£16,995

£336/pm (HP)

2L
62.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Merlin Performance

01202076893 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,995

£273/pm (HP)

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

EVOLVE MOTOR GROUP LTD

01793680983 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Tsi 320 R 4Motion 5Dr Dsg

Low Mileage

£29,110

2L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Silverlink

01916077583 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£21,549

£445/pm (HP)

2L
51.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,950

£293/pm (HP)

2L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

MCT CARS LTD

02890023785 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,995

2L
104.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

East Kent Car Sales

01795502170 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,495

£262/pm (HP)

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,000

£147/pm (HP)

2L
113.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMS Motors

01144786434 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDi 140 SE 5dr DSG

£1,450

2L
187.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Great yarmouth car sales

01493807050 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 - 1.6 2-Door

Low Mileage

£2,195

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

London Broadway Car Sales Ltd

02037808913 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (20

Reduced

£15,480

£297/pm (HP)

1.4L
44.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,950

£305/pm (PCP)

2L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£8,995

£168/pm (HP)

1.6L
72.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,299

£386/pm (PCP)

2L
32.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

£3,455

1.6L
134.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Reduced

£5,150

2L
120.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Walters Motor Group Loddon

01603937289 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,495

1.5L
48.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

FJ Chalke Kia - Yeovil

01935311804 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

£252/pm (HP)

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

S & G Motor Sales LTD

01144787496 *

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 (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 (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 5dr 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.