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.

5,220 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 SE NAVIGATION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,990

1.6L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps

Low Mileage

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
57.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

£15,999

1.5L
44.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Cramlington

01670335009 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,698

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - AUTOMATIC GOLF 1.4 L petrol 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,250

28.5K
Miles
Not Supplied
Automatic
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
64.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £265 pm

2L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CB Autos UK Ltd

01793268067 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - e-Golf 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

32.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Newmachar Motors Ltd

01651260106 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,995

1.5L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bolton Audi

01204324338 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - Golf Match Tsi Bluemotion Technology 5-Door

£5,275

Finance available £96 pm

1.4L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GMC MOTORS B'HAM LIMITED

01215165519 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

G R Carter Motors

01493807078 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£4,795

1.6L
153.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cheshire Motor Car Sales Ltd

01618042270 *

3.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
89.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Clear Car Group Ltd

01616696927 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Wigan)

01942597310 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1991 (H) - 3 door

Reduced

£6,795

2L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,980

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
95.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,890

2L
125.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JF Cars Southwest Ltd

01460201372 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,900

1.5L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Perrys Doncaster Vauxhall

01302248564 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,020

2L
42.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Bedford

01234987593 *

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 (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.