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.

5,104 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf1986 (X) - GTI Mk1 1.6 5spd 3-Door

Low Mileage

£31,995

1.6L
92.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

4 Star Classics

01420551490 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£6,440

1.6L
79.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

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

£10,850

Finance available £220 pm

2L
83.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,100

Finance available £475 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £347 pm

1.5L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Launch Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£14,000

Finance available £290 pm

2L
44.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1993 - VOLKSWAGEN 1.8 CLIPPER KARMANN CONVERTIBLE * MODERN CLASSIC * FRESH IMPORT 2-Door

Low Mileage

£12,999

1.8L
70.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

HILLVIEW MOTORS Ltd

02890023629 *

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

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £350 pm

2L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£18,749

Finance available £385 pm

2L
58.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Store Manchester

01616944756 *

4.2/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

41.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Gatwick Motor World

01444222210 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,950

Finance available £656 pm

2L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

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

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
97.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,749

2L
13.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
5.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wolverhampton Motorstore / Vanstore

01902240180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr + SPACE SAVER

£20,951

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) Manual

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
56.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,698

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Burton)

01283246286 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,695

2L
115.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RM Traders

01780430645 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - R DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,400

2L
68.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Imperial Auto Trade LTD

02037636638 *

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 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.