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.

5,126 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£21,173

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match 3dr

Low Mileage

£4,495

1.4L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

DALE CARS LTD

01506376841 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,341

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Hartlepool

01429801269 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

£17,197

Finance available £347 pm

1.5L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,380

Finance available £232 pm

1L
48.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

iGEN Autos

02890023662 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£6,995

2L
125.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,995

1.5L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,549

Finance available £406 pm

2L
41.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 Golf Style TSi 5dr

£11,444

Finance available £233 pm

1.5L
101.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Penny Hill Motors

01276538675 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£29,069

Finance available £602 pm

2L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2002 - V5 5-Door

Reduced

£4,495

2.3L
91.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Maylands Car Sales

01442504328 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,899

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
6.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Reduced

£7,199

1.6L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Joseph David Simm Ltd

01670339826 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,000

1.4L
65.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£16,900

Finance available £348 pm

1.5L
23.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£48,862

Finance available £940 pm

2L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£24,998

2L
38.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£13,650

Finance available £283 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£10,698

1.6L
78.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Glasgow London Road Motorstore / Vanstore

01416118432 *

4.7/5 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 (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.