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.

4,996 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£7,750

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Manual

£10,295

Finance available £208 pm

1.5L
82.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,781

Finance available £345 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,788

Finance available £241 pm

1.6L
39.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,526

Finance available £286 pm

1.5L
41.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,000

Finance available £199 pm

1L
73.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

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

£31,990

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,074

1.5L
30.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,250

1.6L
45.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wootton Motor Company

01553602430 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£21,990

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenwood Motors Ltd

01274028389 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
54.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

B R Car Sales Ltd

01592407414 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 20 Years 4Motion 5dr DSG

Reduced

£35,495

Finance available £709 pm

2L
11.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prentice Select

02838298952 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,000

1.5L
72.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Valley

02078714290 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 - 1.9 TDI Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,500

1.9L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Widowhill Cars

01282506567 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Reduced

£6,990

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Diamond Motor House Ltd

01134676305 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
103.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Warwickshire Prestige Cars

02475105246 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£6,490

2L
58.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£11,820

1L
51.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Wolverhampton

01902916130 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£9,850

Finance available £198 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elite Autos NI

02890023616 *

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 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

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.