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.

5,609 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,895

£283/pm (PCP)

1L
13.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - GOLF 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,721

1.5L
10.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Honda York

01904917722 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 105184 5-Door

Reduced

£22,206

1.5L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SANDICLIFFE FORD LOUGHBOROUGH

01509272343 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,498

38.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Glasgow)

01414068758 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£18,750

£307/pm (PCP)

1.5L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

Volkswagen Golf(63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Edition DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,995

26.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

JMS USED CARS LTD

01784779331 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,990

£168/pm (HP)

1.6L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Starline Car Sales Ltd

01480276301 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,609

£326/pm (PCP)

1.5L
25.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,395

2L
32.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Riverside Honda Wakefield

01924927475 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GOLF 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,887

1.5L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Blackburn

01254781192 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6

Reduced

£10,495

£199/pm (HP)

1.4L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Magnum Car Sales

01506533736 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,995

£252/pm (HP)

2L
88.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Rudi Gage Car Sales

02827440452 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£9,820

£201/pm (PCP)

1.6L
77.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254961071 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,495

£283/pm (HP)

1.5L
39.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Leeds Motor Company (Burley place)

01134675316 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 GTE NAV DSG 5d 150 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,990

1.4L
58.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

£9,795

£185/pm (HP)

44.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Mantles Used Cars Royston

01763291130 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,990

£231/pm (HP)

1.6L
51.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ALPHA MOTORS (WIGAN) LIMITED

01616693648 *

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

£13,285

2L
96.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

IM Car Supermarket

01582341915 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£7,790

£143/pm (HP)

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Zapp Autos LTD

01582342272 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

£1,700

1.6L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Car 4 Everyone Ltd

01902904121 *

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 2016)

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.