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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (10) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carplex Ltd

01323396590 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0 GT SPORT TDI 5d 168 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

North East Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01916077185 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,350

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,800

Finance available £451 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,399

Finance available £247 pm

1.4L
53.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

1.6L
97.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
28.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

NAC MANCHESTER LTD

01612417467 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£20,475

Finance available £400 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Sandwell Car Sales

01215160845 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr DSG

£5,295

Finance available £96 pm

2L
125.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

DFN

02392006047 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,289

Finance available £417 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£26,999

2L
20.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Stockport

01615298284 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi Diesel Match DSG Automatic 5-Door From £6,495 + Retail Package

Reduced

£6,495

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hesketh Cars

01253201512 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (62) - 1.2 TSI S DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

IBRA CARS LTD

01163668353 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
49.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zanouchi Group Limited

01204939533 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 130 Ps

£15,999

1.5L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Alnwick

01665660970 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

1.4L
46.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,990

1.5L
67.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,700

Finance available £351 pm

1.5L
44.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,751

Finance available £564 pm

2L
19.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,350

Finance available £276 pm

2L
62.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

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.