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.

5,235 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,498

2L
50.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
59.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr WARRANTY

Low Mileage

£5,995

2L
95.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Speedway Garage Gunness Limited

01724514211 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,989

Finance available £156 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hazelton Motors

02890023654 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,583

1.5L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£18,900

Finance available £368 pm

1.5L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chesterfield Motorstore / Vanstore

01246381032 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - HIGH LINE EDITION

Reduced

£9,190

1.4L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£13,999

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
66.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R TSI 4MOTION DSG -CAMERA -SPIELBERG ALLOYS -APPLE CARPLAY -KEYLESS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 eTSI Life DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,497

Finance available £354 pm

1L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,650

1.6L
79.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTO ONE XPRESS LTD

02037633726 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps) 1 LADY OWNER SINC

Low Mileage

£8,499

1.4L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ben Clark Automobiles

01306772439 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Elite Motor Group LTD

01782389098 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£18,498

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,175

Finance available £160 pm

1.4L
75.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Beep Beep Cars Ltd

01913232953 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
43.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Suitor Autos

02890026903 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Brendan Campbell & Sons

02887441406 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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.