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.

5,108 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,495

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,998

2L
67.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Shrewsbury)

01743291338 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), BlueMotion Tech, SE Edition, Nav, Hatchback, 5 Door, Manu

£8,999

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,330

1.5L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,181

1.4L
124.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Reduced

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Richard Sloan Cars

02890023215 *

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

£14,595

1.5L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

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

Low Mileage

£23,950

Finance available £471 pm

2L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£9,350

2L
133.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cotswolds Cars and Commercials Ltd

07860560059 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,295

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Fusion Autos LTD

02921676819 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

Reduced

£2,595

1.6L
179.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MY ISHAQ LTD

01217525785 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

£17,797

Finance available £360 pm

1.5L
16.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Preston

01772285529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
56.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Driven Of York

01937221340 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,099

Finance available £392 pm

2L
29.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£20,424

1.5L
12.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Harrogate

01423648264 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - SE NAVIGATION TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,450

Finance available £245 pm

1.4L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Quirks Car Company

01268590066 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£19,358

Finance available £385 pm

1.4L
38.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£4,795

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,494

Finance available £234 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

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 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.