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.

5,642 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£18,849

£317/pm (PCP)

1.5L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI DSG 2023MY R-Line Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£25,775

2L
14.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,749

£226/pm (HP)

1.5L
49.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,698

1.5L
54.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Mazda/Fiat/Abarth/Jeep/Leapmotor

01224451052 *

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

£16,235

£273/pm (PCP)

2L
32.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(54) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£21,850

28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Hilton Garage Ltd

01332414842 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

£29,108

1.5L
7.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDi S 5dr

£1,200

1.6L
198.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CARS4YOU

01274089739 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Automatic 4WD 5dr - NATIONAL DELIVERY*

Low Mileage

£22,995

£446/pm (PCP)

2L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Belle Vue Vehicles

01916077233 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI S 3dr

£5,990

1.6L
124.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motors World Limited

01908049375 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

£8,995

£168/pm (HP)

2L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

R-Line Motors

02871228243 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£17,495

£296/pm (PCP)

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (140 ps)

£2,695

2L
159.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Andy Hall Cars

01934318499 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,932

£250/pm (HP)

2L
74.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abaza Motors Ltd

02037634729 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 Tsi Ehybrid Style 5Dr Dsg

£15,399

1.4L
62.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Usedirect/ Premium Direct Newtownabbey

02890025639 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps

£9,995

2L
77.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HT Vehicle Sales

01539886318 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,849

£308/pm (PCP)

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Reduced

£22,498

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Stafford Motorstore / BYD / Vanstore / Electric

01785550896 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG | ACC | Navigation

£27,590

£569/pm (HP)

1.5L
5.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

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

£16,550

£278/pm (PCP)

2L
29.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 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

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.