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.

5,439 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£13,456

1.5L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£19,299

£409/pm (HP)

2L
50.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(16) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,440

73.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£7,000

£134/pm (HP)

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drive Time Specialist Cars Limited

01217288826 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£29,170

£447/pm (PCP)

2L
34.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG

Reduced

£30,750

1.5L
4.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,389

£419/pm (HP)

2L
34.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,488

£205/pm (HP)

1.4L
49.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,695

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Phoenix Car Sales

01244562693 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£9,999

1.6L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars2 Wakefield SEAT

01274087621 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

£4,900

£130/pm (HP)

1.6L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,850

£266/pm (PCP)

2L
30.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,649

£181/pm (HP)

1.5L
88.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,449

£356/pm (HP)

1.5L
28.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,747

£594/pm (HP)

1.5L
2.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,695

2L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jones Motor Company

01244562695 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,630

1.5L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Prestige Cars Kent

01689669471 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,995

2L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jones Motor Company

01244562695 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,950

2L
57.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Riverside Honda Wakefield

01924927475 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£19,295

£417/pm (HP)

2L
54.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

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.