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.

5,526 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr WINTER PACK, TECHNOLOGY PACK, AREA VIEW

£26,990

1.5L
5.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£22,000

£353/pm (PCP)

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Eadles

01865411817 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,298

1L
9.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£17,895

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,800

£312/pm (PCP)

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,698

1L
44.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore / BYD (Linwood)

01414736404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps) auto

Reduced

£6,595

£117/pm (HP)

1.6L
106.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Swale Auto Sales II LTD

01748906162 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,485

2L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

IM Car Supermarket

01582341915 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,995

£315/pm (HP)

2L
59.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelers Chipping Norton

01608692663 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,798

1L
46.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Glasgow Rutherglen Volkswagen/BYD

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,800

£164/pm (HP)

2L
86.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carhub Newport

01633848752 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE Edition, HPI CLEAR, 1 PREVIOUS OWNER 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,190

£109/pm (HP)

1.4L
49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SKYLINE CARS & VANS LIMITED

02037637068 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,000

£309/pm (PCP)

2L
22.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,989

1.5L
22.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,895

£229/pm (HP)

1.6L
77.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GOLF 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,552

1.5L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,950

1.5L
1.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£18,763

2L
73.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Silverlink

01916077583 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£20,500

£356/pm (PCP)

2L
56.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Chapelfield Car Sales Ltd

01616946801 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,498

2L
47.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Solihull)

01215160456 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 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 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.