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.

5,330 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps

£9,999

1.6L
65.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£24,990

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£32,998

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

2L
84.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

HMK Car Sales Ltd

02890022257 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG Automatic ULEZ Hpi Clear

Reduced

£6,299

Finance available £118 pm

1.4L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Simply Motors

02081500946 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps) * HUGE SPE

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
42.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MJM Car Sales

01833600271 *

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

Low Mileage

£10,599

1.6L
51.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 - 1.9 Golf TDI Sport 5dr

£1,995

1.9L
155.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Reduced

£13,799

Finance available £286 pm

2L
80.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

N K Motors Chilwell

01156977727 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,499

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
88.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door

£22,991

1.4L
28.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 5dr Manual

Reduced

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

3.2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

St Andrews Autos

01245951119 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£31,500

2L
10.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£24,979

Finance available £493 pm

2L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

01436647028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£4,195

Finance available £71 pm

1.4L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Cheltenham Spa Motors Ltd

01452227274 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£4,800

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
110.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carex Car Sales

01243978025 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,900

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
48.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eakin Bros LTD

02871229276 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi R Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£21,499

1.5L
21.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Berwick

01289543249 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

49.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Gateway Motor Group

01513057630 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

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.