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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,500

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£21,298

1.5L
11.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£16,500

Finance available £346 pm

2L
55.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£16,300

Finance available £342 pm

2L
69.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandiforths

01909498742 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£24,490

1.5L
5.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,698

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Perth Vauxhall/Fiat/Abarth/Jeep/Leapmotor

01738230558 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,800

Finance available £197 pm

1.6L
68.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £269 pm

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MSR PRESTIGE LTD

01254919241 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE NAVIGATION TSI EVO DSG Semi Auto 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£30,500

Finance available £529 pm

2L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,695

Finance available £365 pm

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,498

1.4L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Dumbarton)

01389310597 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.6 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£595

1.6L
117.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NHI Leicester Ltd

01164646019 *

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

Reduced

£16,249

1.5L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI (150ps) Match Edition EVO DSG + VOLKSWAGEN WARRRANTY A 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,499

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£20,498

1.5L
4.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,490

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,800

Finance available £233 pm

1.4L
64.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 5dr 1.5 eTSi R-Line DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£21,495

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Frosts Used Cars Shoreham-by-Sea

01273093609 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

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 (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

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.