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.

5,337 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr - Virtual Cockpit & Apple CarPlay

£16,490

Finance available £277 pm

1.5L
27.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crossroads Garage Limited

01909496760 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (0V) - 2.0L R 20 YEARS TSI 4MOTION DSG 5d 329 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£42,500

Finance available £853 pm

2L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RD Harrison Car Sales

01747440696 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£18,600

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£1,299

2L
179.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BUDGET CARS (NW) LTD

01614139818 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,795

Finance available £253 pm

2L
44.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jackson Car Sales

01362700945 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£19,670

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Vauxhall Lichfield

01543228295 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£5,995

1.6L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Three Pines Garage Limited

01885477786 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,994

Finance available £268 pm

2L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf3.2 V6 R32 3dr

£777

3.2L
444.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Cars Of Wakefield Ltd

01924663191 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Huddersfield Fiat / Abarth / Jeep / Alfa Romeo

01484504408 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5-Door

£4,800

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
105.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

PROLINE CAR CARE LTD

01604343536 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2004 (54) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,499

1.6L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tycoon Autos Ltd

02039112039 *

Volkswagen Golf2004 (04) - 3.2 V6 R32 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,995

3.2L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Aylesbury Motor Group Ltd

01296324581 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hatfields

01302248814 *

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 Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

£3,995

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

1.4L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£39,990

2L
961.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stratstone Select Bracknell

01344202530 *

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 (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.