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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£30,195

Finance available £600 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD DSG 5-Door

£26,697

Finance available £551 pm

2L
18.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,998

1L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Motherwell)

01698538870 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
99.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sheffield Car Centre Ltd

01144786513 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 3dr

Reduced

£2,495

2L
113.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Fusion Autos LTD

02921676819 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] 5dr

£7,695

1L
101.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,494

Finance available £234 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - TSI EHYBRID DSG Style 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,799

Finance available £451 pm

1.4L
8.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,475

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
44.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oasis Cars Ltd

01474556253 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI SE Nav 5-Door

£6,992

Finance available £134 pm

1L
107.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Golf(18) - 2.0 TDI GTD BlueLine DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,989

Finance available £349 pm

29.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carter and Haines

01244562742 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr MANUAL

£20,990

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,849

Finance available £213 pm

1.4L
55.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI Style 5dr DSG

£23,500

1.5L
17.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 S Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (80 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,000

Finance available £45 pm

1.4L
114.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Drive Next

01869221886 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
104.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eddie Mallon Motors

02837440447 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,498

1.5L
14.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Ayr)

01292431668 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,990

2L
9.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.2 TSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,895

1.2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ASD Motorhouse Ltd

01902240189 *

5/5 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 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 (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 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.