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.

5,054 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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 Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£1,995

2L
171.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Assured Cars

01274028296 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (58) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,994

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TMB Van Sales

01618042445 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£22,998

1.5L
5.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

Reduced

£5,695

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£17,998

1.5L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr DSG

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

2L
94.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ballinderry Car Sales Limited

02892441046 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,295

Finance available £163 pm

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Signature Car Specialists LTD

01282509489 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (31

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

2L
49.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£10,900

Finance available £221 pm

1L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,500

Finance available £175 pm

25.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

£15,690

Finance available £335 pm

2L
50.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars2 Huddersfield Nissan

01484502883 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Cabriolet Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Iconic Vehicle Sales

01245678836 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,000

3.2L
68.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

True Vehicle Sales

01284334029 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£30,547

1.5L
868.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Hatch GTE 1.5 TSI 272ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door

£44,289

1.5L
1.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£6,799

1.6L
72.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,500

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
21.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,200

1.5L
18.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

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 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.