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.

5,295 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf GTD 3dr

£7,845

Finance available £153 pm

2L
116.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DMC

01412601329 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£13,600

Finance available £234 pm

1.5L
41.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,698

1.5L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Reduced

£8,000

Finance available £156 pm

52.7K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Petrol Manual 5 Door Hatchback Whit

Reduced

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Swans Motor Group LTD

01603516692 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 3dr ++ CLIMATE / ALLOYS / 12 MONTHS MOT ++

£4,975

Finance available £89 pm

2L
125.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 290 GTI TCR 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,499

Finance available £574 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£8,000

Finance available £156 pm

2L
122.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stephen Charles Cars

01473356761 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,790

Finance available £174 pm

2L
33.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HALLAM CAR SALES LTD

01143086615 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,950

Finance available £312 pm

2L
86.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr pan roof FSH

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Y S Motors

01494928876 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

2L
37.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TIME MOTORS LIMITED

01156849371 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,576

39.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Chingford

02039577333 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Reduced

£14,995

1.5L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Canterbury Vauxhall

01227203980 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) Automatic

Reduced

£15,790

1.5L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sherwoods Durham Peugeot

01918145161 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R 5-Door

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
60.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£12,498

1.6L
60.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Birtley Motorstore / MG / Vanstore

01916070584 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,291

1.5L
9.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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.