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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

Reduced

£4,650

1.6L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Frank Wray Cars Ltd

02890023624 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Diesel BlueMotion Tech SE Convertible From £5,995 + Retail Package 2-Door

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Hesketh Cars

01253201512 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI S Cabriolet Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,449

Finance available £122 pm

1.4L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Starlight Motors Limited

01525308845 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£7,995

1.6L
37.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi Diesel Match DSG Automatic 5-Door From £6,495 + Retail Package

Reduced

£6,495

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hesketh Cars

01253201512 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£18,485

1.5L
58.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Exeter

01392537059 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
104.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

JPB Specialist Cars Ltd

01434400352 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr ++FULL SERVICE HISTORY++LAST OWNER 13 YE

Reduced

£2,995

2L
159.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RobertsCarscouk

01352871761 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (53) - 3.2 R32 5dr Hatchback Manual Petrol

£19,995

3.2L
26.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

£48,990

2L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - BLUEMOTION Automatic

Reduced

£10,500

1.4L
41.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Riviera Japanese Imports

01803224925 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,900

1L
41.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£22,498

2L
2.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Dunfermline)

01383660626 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£26,101

Finance available £572 pm

2L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG | Heated Front Seats

Low Mileage

£38,990

Finance available £746 pm

2L
2.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,447

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
101.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

2L
89.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SOUTH HAMS AUTOS LTD

01364700699 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£35,995

Finance available £719 pm

2L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TF Car Sales Ltd

01455241626 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,799

Finance available £427 pm

1.5L
34.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Shelbourne AutoSelect Newry

02830441493 *

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.