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.

5,206 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£14,498

1L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Ayr BYD

01292432784 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

1L
20.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Hatch GTE 1.5 TSI 272ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door Auto

Low Mileage

£32,930

1.5L
719.0
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - BLUEMOTION Automatic

Reduced

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
41.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Riviera Japanese Imports

01803224925 *

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

£10,337

Finance available £213 pm

1.5L
76.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), Bluemotion Tech, Match Edition, 5 Door, Manual, Euro 6.

Low Mileage

£10,499

1.4L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - se

Reduced

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - BLUETOOT

Low Mileage

£18,912

Finance available £376 pm

1.5L
19.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£33,998

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Shiremoor Motorstore / MG / BYD / Vanstore

01913236408 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,999

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£12,498

1L
56.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow London Road Motorstore / Vanstore

01416118432 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto Electric Hatchback

Low Mileage

£11,995

20.2K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Chingford

02037277170 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,999

1.4L
43.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Bolton

01204584597 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£7,994

Finance available £156 pm

54.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.8/5 Stars

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

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

2L
103.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Warwickshire Prestige Cars

02475105246 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.4L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RAF-Cars

01494413879 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Gormley Motors Ltd

02887448026 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£6,750

Finance available £128 pm

2L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Chilton Motoring

01296324583 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£14,999

1.6L
20.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

3.6/5 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

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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 (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.