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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Reduced

£25,490

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 2.0 Golf GTi TSi Semi-Auto 5dr

Reduced

£26,750

2L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,300

Finance available £327 pm

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£23,498

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
14.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Newcastle BYD

01916071118 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Estate 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,195

1.5L
80.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Reduced

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
51.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,725

2L
4.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£25,888

1.5L
3.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,078

Finance available £458 pm

2L
49.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Tdi Gtd Hatchback 5dr Diesel Dsg Euro 6 s/s 200 Ps

£22,850

2L
41.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Pentagon BYD Mazda Peugeot Vauxhall (Lincoln)

01522467381 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£8,900

Finance available £177 pm

1.6L
82.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 2.0 TFSI GTI Edition 30 Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG (188 g/km, 227 bhp)

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
57.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI Clubsport 2.0TSI 300PS 7-speed DSG 5 Dr

Reduced

£27,995

2L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£19,190

1.5L
8.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - GTI

Low Mileage

£12,995

2L
74.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,990

2L
22.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Auto MC Limited TA Automotive Cars

01535280995 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,770

1.5L
95.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,480

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AG Cars Loughborough Limited

01509278062 *

4.9/5 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 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.