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 Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£17,490

1.5L
34.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£4,999

2L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£24,990

1.5L
5.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

£12,049

Finance available £232 pm

2L
79.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr - £20 Road Tax

£6,995

2L
101.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Maximum Car Supermarket

02392002264 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,996

Finance available £258 pm

1.5L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Essex Car Store

01376319739 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£31,989

Finance available £637 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

1.5L
53.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6L GT TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto Hatchback 5dr Diesel Semi Autom

£10,995

1.6L
67.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Dundee car sales LTD

01382768505 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£31,990

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Active DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,450

Finance available £412 pm

1L
11.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£32,498

2L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore / BYD (Linwood)

01414736404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2004 (04) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Southend Auto Sales Ltd

01702908029 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps) - CLIMATE CONTROL - DAB

£9,862

Finance available £186 pm

46.3K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£17,998

1.5L
42.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Wigan)

01942597310 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Dundee Vauxhall / Fiat / Abarth

01382768498 *

4.7/5 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 (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 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.