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.

5,104 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,895

Finance available £275 pm

1.4L
59.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Riverside BYD

01924927456 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

£17,399

Finance available £366 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,625

Finance available £215 pm

1.6L
84.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ballyrobert Bangor

02891249490 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 p

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
95.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

LMS Motors Ltd

01865596842 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£11,600

Finance available £232 pm

1.5L
84.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
27.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Milton Keynes

01416118716 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,498

1.5L
23.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,000

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
63.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

David Brothers Cars Ltd

01763291606 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Reduced

£6,200

2L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Toto Motors Ltd

01616727281 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,899

Finance available £414 pm

1.5L
27.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£16,389

Finance available £333 pm

1.4L
52.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Reduced

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AW Car House Ltd

01827213842 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.4L
97.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorline Car Sales

01163668351 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 Tsi Life 5-Door

Reduced

£17,299

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Right Car Hull

01482947530 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£24,475

Finance available £461 pm

1.5L
50.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,998

2L
25.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

37.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Ecomotive

02038235339 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,150

2L
104.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

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.