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.

5,245 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

£21,989

59.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Essex Prestige Autos Ltd

01279967337 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£17,790

Finance available £345 pm

2L
77.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saltmarine Used Car Centre

02887441419 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GTI Performance 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£22,630

2L
36.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,680

2L
8.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI SE Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,000

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SKS Cars Ltd

01908062063 *

Volkswagen Golf(20) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,500

19.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - MATCH FSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
113.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Regal Motors

02394319624 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Reduced

£18,245

Finance available £354 pm

2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NW Kehoe & Sons

02830447169 *

Volkswagen Golf1990 (G) - 1.8 GTi 16V 3dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.8L
130.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamstead Autos

01213872419 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,504

1.5L
5.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Reduced

£7,495

1.6L
82.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bogue Motors

02890023167 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,249

Finance available £395 pm

1.5L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£17,499

1.4L
53.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,100

Finance available £248 pm

2L
102.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,798

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat/Kia/Abarth (Seafield)

01316036422 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£26,499

Finance available £524 pm

2L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£14,998

2L
77.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

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 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.