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 Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6

Low Mileage

£11,499

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

DMS Prestige Limited

01992661584 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,490

Finance available £212 pm

1.5L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Riverside SEAT Hull

01482429290 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI SE 3dr - £20 TAX

Low Mileage

£5,495

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ashby Square Autos

01509272327 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£9,700

1L
108.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,880

Finance available £198 pm

2L
89.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG PAN ROOF

Low Mileage

£25,890

1.5L
2.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - R 2.0 TSI 300 5dr 4MOTION DSG VIRTUAL COCKPIT TOP SPEC

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Car World Motors Ltd

01924668250 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door | 19' Adelaide Black | Harman K

£24,390

Finance available £480 pm

2L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY CONVERTIBLE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.6L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,313

Finance available £372 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£9,750

1.6L
43.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Solid Cars Ltd

01312410517 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jenson Cars

01733794308 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,493

Finance available £274 pm

2L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£15,999

1.5L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

Reduced

£3,995

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars and Commercials

02890022225 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110

£6,400

Finance available £121 pm

1.6L
93.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Driven Of York

01937221340 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 2dr

Reduced

£3,299

1.6L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Saver Motors

01919333978 *

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

Low Mileage

£24,266

Finance available £488 pm

1.5L
8.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

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 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.