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.

5,183 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 5dr 1.5 TSi 150 Style

Low Mileage

£25,495

1.5L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Used Cars Shoreham-by-Sea

01273093609 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£27,695

10.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line Tsi 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,620

Finance available £403 pm

1.5L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Motor Group Peterborough

01733666887 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 p

Low Mileage

£20,418

Finance available £443 pm

2L
56.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,490

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,490

Finance available £301 pm

1.5L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

365 MOTORS LTD

01204968071 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£24,000

Finance available £514 pm

2L
12.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Norwich

01603337183 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£20,498

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,995

1.5L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 2.3 VR5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,999

2.3L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

£6,750

2L
126.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chapelfield Car Sales Ltd

01616946801 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI R Black Edition DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£45,995

Finance available £924 pm

2L
2.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DRIVEHAUS LTD

01614700096 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

McKinney Motors

02837440713 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE Nav 5-Door

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
70.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor World MCR LTD

01616944305 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps) * HUGE SPEC LIST

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
53.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MJM Car Sales

01833600271 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£33,900

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£18,498

1L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Stoke on Trent Vauxhall / Peugeot / Vanstore

01782432080 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 3.2 R32 3dr

Reduced

£12,495

3.2L
103.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AMR Motors Limited

01484503310 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£21,490

1.5L
26.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

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.