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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
49.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen Golf Gtd Tdi S-a 5-Door

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
78.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlby Motors Limited

01507304264 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

£20,425

Finance available £399 pm

1.5L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Todds of Campsie

02871220972 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£44,495

Finance available £894 pm

2L
245.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bespoke Motor Works Ltd

01642937532 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line EVO

£21,495

1.5L
26.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
28.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NAC MANCHESTER LTD

01612417467 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£6,750

Finance available £128 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport 40 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,750

Finance available £426 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
62.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Manual

£20,990

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,370

Finance available £254 pm

1.4L
41.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI MK8 Facelift 2024 2.0 TSI (265ps) DSG **DCC, BLACK STYLE PACK, PAN ROOF 5-Door

Low Mileage

£39,490

2L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£24,149

Finance available £502 pm

2L
36.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - 17IN ALL

£14,427

Finance available £282 pm

1.5L
72.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

1.6L
90.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (59) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,250

1.6L
142.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Seabrook Cars LTD

01905672485 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Style TSI 5DR Hatch Petrol

Low Mileage

£17,289

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
24.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,500

1.6L
103.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JT Car Sales Worksop Ltd

01909498731 *

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

£13,400

1.5L
68.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Perrys Aylesbury Ford

01296325843 *

4.4/5 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 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.