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.

5,350 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.5L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Adam Erwin

02894338792 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.4 TSI GT Sport Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual (174 g/km, 168 bhp)

Low Mileage

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
86.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£18,549

Finance available £384 pm

1.5L
1.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,350

Finance available £205 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,249

Finance available £207 pm

1.4L
102.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

£12,649

Finance available £260 pm

1.5L
51.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Palmers Mitsubishi Hemel Hempsted

01442503952 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 Tsi Bluemotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5-Door

Reduced

£9,475

Finance available £189 pm

1.4L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

GMC MOTORS B'HAM LIMITED

01217285878 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (64) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Exclusive Motors Of GB LTD

02038978672 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£21,995

Finance available £384 pm

2L
44.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps) 10-inch Touc

Reduced

£16,586

Finance available £320 pm

1L
12.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

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 Golf2019 (69) - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI R-Line Edition EVO 150PS 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,250

1.5L
32.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GT 88 LTD

01616749828 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£23,400

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
21.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TSI DSG EURO 5 5dr HATCHBACK PETROL AUTOMATIC

Reduced

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

KLAW MOTORS

02039537452 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 S 5dr New MOT included

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hamilton Motors

01562541393 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2-Door

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

1.6L
111.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Bluemotors Aberdare Limited

01685701469 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,000

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
64.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI 130ps Style Ed EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£19,999

1.5L
18.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£2,395

1.4L
132.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ac Car Sales

01787320888 *

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 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.