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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£13,000

2L
77.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

County Motorparks Chelmsford

01245678762 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,295

Finance available £499 pm

2L
20.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,300

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,499

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Direct Stockport

01613887691 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - S 1.2 TSI 85 PS 5-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£8,752

1.2L
68.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,895

Finance available £269 pm

1.4L
49.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
24.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lexus Gatwick

01293223011 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,698

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Hyundai (Glasgow)

01416118684 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
31.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0L STYLE TDI DSG 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhouse (Beds) Ltd

01234676818 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,998

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Glasgow)

01416118316 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
57.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£20,499

1.4L
39.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Atherton

01942597176 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,595

2L
89.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Northwest Trade Centre Lancaster

01524938637 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£16,114

1.5L
55.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG + WARMENAU ALLOYS + EXTERIOR STYLE PACK +

£40,990

2L
3.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Reduced

£27,998

2L
18.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

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 Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£9,938

1.4L
53.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 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

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 Present)

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.