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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,890

Finance available £442 pm

2L
55.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motor Match Stockport

01614139889 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI EVO GT 5-Door

£10,695

1.5L
79.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cardiff Cars Sales

02920028847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG Auto

£18,755

2L
40.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Ford Kings Lynn

01553603590 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
132.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AYRSHIRE CAR TRADERS LTD

01292434534 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.4L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Zone

01753968048 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£15,604

2L
71.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Corvette & INEOS Midlands

01675627077 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
50.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen GolfTDI Match

Low Mileage

£2,298

79.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Blackwood Used Car Ltd

02890021467 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,498

1.5L
13.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Shrewsbury)

01743291338 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door + LEATHER

Low Mileage

£22,692

1.4L
24.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£27,490

Finance available £544 pm

2L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fusco Vehicle Sales

02891249214 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

£3,895

Finance available £65 pm

1.6L
120.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fine Motors Ltd

01162165628 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

£12,049

Finance available £232 pm

2L
79.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF MATCH TSI EVO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,500

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dales Renault Summercourt

01872301822 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Match 5-Door

£21,997

Finance available £450 pm

1.5L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hounslow Cars Ltd

02039537374 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,750

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

PMA CARS

02890026896 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Nav]

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JM MOTOR CO

01158227506 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - Estate 1.5 TSI (EVO) DSG 2020MY Match Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,991

1.5L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

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 (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.