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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbon Motors Ltd

01216615534 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
152.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Cars of Kinson

01202001903 *

2.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,690

Finance available £548 pm

2L
5.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£4,500

Finance available £78 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
65.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JMR MOTOR GROUP LTD

02039104770 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

£8,453

Finance available £167 pm

1L
90.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lexus Wolverhampton

01902951110 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 3dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

C M Car Sales

01773303785 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,498

1.5L
13.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£22,990

1.5L
11.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£11,200

Finance available £228 pm

1.6L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,480

Finance available £256 pm

2L
78.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Capital Ltd

02038933681 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps) Touchscreen,

£13,899

Finance available £265 pm

2L
71.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 - SE TDI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Coastal Automotive

01202048232 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style DSG 5-Door

£17,797

Finance available £360 pm

1.4L
38.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Sussex Ltd

01403334227 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (55) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

3.2L
109.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Good Value Cars

01202117023 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Botley Car Centre Limited

01489661104 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - MK7 Facelift e-136PS BEV Automatic 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,691

32.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Reduced

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

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 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 (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.