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.

5,240 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£18,599

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,000

1.4L
54.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Chester

01244207613 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 1.6 S FSI 5dr Auto [AC]

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
135.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Amon Motors Solihull

01216615432 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£8,995

2L
147.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cr motors

01274028307 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (Z7) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£19,500

Finance available £413 pm

1.5L
21.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£16,057

1L
36.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Tsi 310 R 5Dr 4Motion Dsg

Low Mileage

£19,995

2L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Usedirect/ Premium Direct Newtownards / Ards

02895900508 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,455

Finance available £189 pm

1L
80.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 R TSI DSG 5d 296 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£14,945

Finance available £312 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

BRG AutoHub

02891249536 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Automatic

£19,874

1.5L
29.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,700

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

St Clements Cars

01553605040 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 (H) - 1.8 GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.8L
125.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

T and T Motors

01924665188 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

2L
83.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£25,000

1.5L
658.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,000

1.5L
25.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stourbridge Motors

01384319482 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,490

Finance available £544 pm

1.4L
5.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion 5dr

£2,995

1.6L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

BREDBURY CARS

01612417052 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

£14,895

Finance available £310 pm

2L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hazelton Motors

02890023654 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

1.5L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Windmill Autos Ltd

01767661305 *

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 2016)

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.