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.

5,627 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 Tsi Match 5Dr

£20,192

1.5L
11.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Volkswagen Carlisle

01228273205 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,000

£295/pm (PCP)

1.5L
14.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Zone Luton Ltd

01582341885 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,800

£185/pm (HP)

38.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£19,995

£326/pm (PCP)

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 5d 109 BHP (ULEZ compliant) 5-Door

Reduced

£7,995

£147/pm (HP)

1.6L
114.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Priceless Auto Services Ltd

01606535830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Reduced

£20,450

£316/pm (PCP)

1.4L
25.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr

£10,795

£206/pm (HP)

1.5L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Chilham Sports Cars

01227203935 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Golf Hatch Life 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£22,764

1.5L
0.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£9,250

£184/pm (HP)

1.6L
77.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 3.2 V6 R32 JAPANESE IMPORT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

£268/pm (HP)

3.2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cambridgeshire Motor Centre Ltd

01480271824 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,330

1.6L
86.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BINCA

01908953487 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,395

£197/pm (HP)

1.4L
56.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Warwick Hall Cars Limited

01616720739 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GOLF 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,980

1.5L
32.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Mercedes-Benz of Blackburn

01254781054 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - SE 2.0 TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 78,000m, cambelt changed, £20 tax 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,495

£157/pm (HP)

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars of Chichester

01243216738 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,450

£135/pm (HP)

2L
83.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£14,477

£283/pm (HP)

1.6L
36.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Liverpool Car Centre

01515417928 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - e-GOLF 136PS BEV Automatic 5dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£11,990

£231/pm (HP)

29.7K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Crowsons of Spalding

01775660387 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GOLF 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,195

1.5L
17.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall MINI Bournemouth

01202099922 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£15,995

£315/pm (HP)

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Trade N Save Centre

01452227275 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

£8,455

£167/pm (HP)

1.4L
89.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.