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.

5,130 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 - R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,995

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Reduced

£9,999

1.6L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pinetree Car Superstore Tonypandy

01443806091 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 3.2 V6 R32 Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion (257 g/km, 247 bhp)

Low Mileage

£5,995

3.2L
121.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110

Low Mileage

£9,695

Finance available £194 pm

1.6L
41.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Leeds Motor Company (Commercial Road)

01134676267 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,999

Finance available £252 pm

2L
80.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (20

Low Mileage

£15,499

1.4L
43.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,999

1.5L
22.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MJM Car Sales

01833600271 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

£18,791

2L
74.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

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

£19,678

1.5L
47.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Taunton

01823218663 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£8,000

2L
122.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stephen Charles Cars

01473356761 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Leather]

£5,995

2L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,495

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AMC Car Sales

01212722821 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr +P/ROOF + IQ + DCC + WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£33,990

Finance available £678 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Today Ltd TA Vans Today

01905947741 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,995

2L
73.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

TMR Prestige Services

01582280752 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£34,490

Finance available £688 pm

2L
37.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.6 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£595

1.6L
117.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NHI Leicester Ltd

01164646019 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI 140 Sportline 5dr DSG

£2,995

2L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Nuhr Motor Company

01216618721 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

2L
74.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£3,995

1.4L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NG Car Recovery Services

02382026108 *

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

lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/lHUz0lVPyUY/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='lHUz0lVPyUY']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

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 2020)

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.