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.

5,287 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 5 5dr

£2,295

2L
137.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbon Motors Ltd

01216615534 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,989

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
33.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£39,990

1.5L
681.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) Automatic

Reduced

£30,995

2L
4.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Direct Bridgend

01656339498 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£22,490

Finance available £441 pm

1.4L
29.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,795

2L
42.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,489

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Motors GB

02037808222 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,595

Finance available £58 pm

2L
104.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Tamebridge Cars Ltd

01642049641 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

2US4CARS LTD

01706391380 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£18,499

Finance available £359 pm

2L
36.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1L
37.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SHEFFIELD DIRECT MOTORS

01143218700 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£22,366

1.5L
12.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£34,995

Finance available £698 pm

2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

All Cars Group Ta ACG Motors

01613887664 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ravenswood Performance Ltd

01444222070 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

Reduced

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.4L
70.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

M.J.S Cars LTD

02890023227 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£14,990

1.5L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Stockton

01642049066 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H and M Cars Ltd

07921081064 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Reduced

£19,793

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 Golf GT Edition TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,490

2L
36.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,991

1.5L
37.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

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 Present)

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 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.