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.

5,297 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(15) - 1.6 Sport 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
83.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Kelvin Way Motors

01217288894 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

Low Mileage

£19,774

Finance available £394 pm

2L
40.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,700

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,939

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
31.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

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

£18,795

Finance available £366 pm

2L
71.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CarBrothers NI

02894339938 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£11,200

Finance available £228 pm

1.6L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £288 pm

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£12,988

Finance available £268 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£27,437

2L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 6-speed Manual | Winter Pack 5-Door

£23,590

Finance available £464 pm

2L
41.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,990

1.5L
41.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,980

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,981

Finance available £89 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,798

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,543

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.6 FSI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,250

1.6L
104.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Resi Auto Sales Ltd

01254947357 *

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

HKW Car Sales Ltd

01616967899 *

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

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 (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.