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.

5,248 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
104.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

JPB Specialist Cars Ltd

01434400352 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Preseli Car Sales

01834820915 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

Low Mileage

£29,786

Finance available £591 pm

2L
26.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kingsbridge

01904237124 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

1.4L
87.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ecomotive

02038235339 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Eden Car Sales Ltd

02893447216 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£34,300

Finance available £729 pm

2L
8.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£4,995

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,490

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,998

1.5L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GTD Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Reduced

£15,199

Finance available £317 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,949

2L
22.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Browns of Richmond

01748900788 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

1.4L
79.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Master Cars Biggleswade Ltd

01767661224 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,695

Finance available £261 pm

1.5L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cottage Cars

02038731429 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5DR Manual

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Excel Vehicle Sales Ltd

01524938896 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,925

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SW Motors

01784771195 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
44.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Ballymena Motorstore

02825447459 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£5,795

2L
162.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,749

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
62.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2d 104 BHP 2-Door

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

D & J Autos Ltd

01525300684 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - R-Line Etsi Dsg 5-Door

£16,920

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
62.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

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 (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 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.