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.

5,340 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,998

1L
14.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0L STYLE TDI DSG 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhouse (Beds) Ltd

01234676818 *

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

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Diesels Direct

01502441258 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 99kW e- 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£10,505

34.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£25,998

1.5L
9.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Jap Motor Cars Ltd

01773304675 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,998

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,649

Finance available £321 pm

1.5L
38.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,695

1.5L
64.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carite Ltd

01793224408 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,750

Finance available £652 pm

2L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
95.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi S 3dr

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

1.6L
134.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,450

Finance available £543 pm

2L
13.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 150 GT 5dr ++ UPGRADED ALLOYS / SAT NAV / ULEZ / DAB ++

£10,670

Finance available £216 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,499

1.5L
40.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Style 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£31,911

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - 2.0TDI (150ps) R-Line DSG + 18' LEEDS ALLOYS + EXT STYLE PACK 5-Door

Reduced

£28,950

2L
5.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.L GOLF GTI PETROL

Low Mileage

£7,600

Finance available £147 pm

2L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
19.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,490

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
21.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

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

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 Present)

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Shop by Trim

Shop by Body Style

Shop by Engine Size

Shop by Fuel Type

Shop by Transmission

Shop by Colour

Shop by Registration Year