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.

5,242 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE BLUEMOTION TECH 5 DOOR (ULEZ COMPLIANT)

Reduced

£5,750

1.4L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Blackrock Motors

01923927525 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

2L
78.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DR-CC (DR Car Company)

01143086588 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£31,990

1.5L
395.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£12,990

Finance available £262 pm

2L
99.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

City Motors (Cambs) Ltd

01733666873 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,720

Finance available £497 pm

2L
22.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Darlington

01325521605 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,299

Finance available £275 pm

1.6L
48.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£24,249

Finance available £530 pm

2L
12.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Norwich

01603337183 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,697

Finance available £337 pm

1.5L
22.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Rory Gaffney Cars

02838298749 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,900

1.6L
37.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bob Davies Car Sales

01495362191 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (290 ps) **Lovely Example -

£19,999

Finance available £390 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FMC Swansea Ltd

01792739469 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,299

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
12.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

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

Reduced

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

30.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Essex Car Store

01376319739 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TDI Match 5-Door

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hynes Motors

02890023625 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr Diesel Hatchback

£10,108

1.6L
82.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Northampton

01604343506 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,698

1.5L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,720

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Evans Halshaw Ford Burnley

01282503246 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Stoke on Trent)

01782432704 *

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 (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.