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.

5,286 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,700

Finance available £418 pm

1.4L
25.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,480

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AG Cars Loughborough Limited

01509278062 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£44,995

Finance available £904 pm

2L
965.0
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Murphy Motor Sales

02890026876 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) Touchscreen, Bl

Low Mileage

£11,399

Finance available £214 pm

1.4L
35.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,217

1.5L
37.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,991

1.6L
111.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
65.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carslink

01582280339 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£3,980

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
106.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.4L
46.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

KF Cars Supermaket

01416118777 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£23,400

Finance available £408 pm

2L
38.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI SE 3dr

£6,850

Finance available £131 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£36,498

2L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£30,182

2L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) 1 Owner, To

£21,599

Finance available £423 pm

1.5L
13.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle 4 Cars

02382146222 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

Reduced

£5,945

Finance available £110 pm

2L
107.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bhakar Watts Cars

02921675239 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion (257 g/km, 247 bhp)-Superb L

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

3.2L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,500

Finance available £279 pm

2L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AVI DHIR CARS LIMITED TA AD Car Sales

01530441089 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

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 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 (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.