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.

5,295 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£24,490

Finance available £483 pm

2L
55.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rosso Performance LTD

01133236280 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£15,998

1.5L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Carlisle Motorstore / Vanstore

01228276696 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£11,249

Finance available £222 pm

1.5L
72.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,100

Finance available £413 pm

2L
33.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£41,650

2L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG 5-Door

£32,990

1.5L
1.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf1983 (Y) - 1.8 GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£42,950

Finance available £862 pm

1.8L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Autologix Ltd

01246382878 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - R LINE EDITION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car City Bristol Limited TA CARHUB

01174400727 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£21,900

Finance available £381 pm

1.4L
13.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£16,980

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
62.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - TDI DSG Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,249

Finance available £416 pm

2L
17.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,250

Finance available £306 pm

1.5L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 Golf GTE Advance Semi-Auto 5dr

£11,499

Finance available £216 pm

1.4L
92.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Beck Evans

02037803374 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 3.2 R32 Hatchback 5dr Petrol Ulez

Reduced

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

3.2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - LIFE TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£14,000

Finance available £290 pm

2L
80.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

St Clements Cars

01553605040 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£5,295

Finance available £96 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

EMV Car Sales

01553603585 *

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 (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.