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.

5,200 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 Tsi Match 5Dr

£20,455

1.5L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Blackpool Volkswagen

01253542216 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
97.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Harvey One Motors

01793268069 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 Tsi Bluemotion Tech Se Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 110 B

£9,100

1L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pentagon Vauxhall (Loughborough)

01332414577 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£11,995

1.5L
62.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,498

2L
43.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - R LINE EDITION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car City Bristol Limited TA CARHUB

01174400727 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

High Grange Motor Company Ltd

01325525257 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Style Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,900

Finance available £414 pm

2L
22.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £293 pm

1.5L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SG MOTORHOUSE LTD

01992669367 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,990

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sean Kearney Cars

02890026883 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 3dr

£2,995

2L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Farran Auto Sales Ltd

02895908570 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £271 pm

1.5L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

N K Motors Derby

01332414576 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.9L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Granthams Garage ltd

01905672442 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,600

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,399

Finance available £210 pm

33.7K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Fife Mitsubishi Kirkcaldy

01592803919 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,698

1.5L
18.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chesterfield Motorstore / Vanstore

01246381032 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£29,498

2L
41.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£15,249

Finance available £312 pm

1L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

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

lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/lHUz0lVPyUY/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

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 (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 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.