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.

5,285 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
66.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JH Foreman

01377318074 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £360 pm

1L
15.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£14,995

2L
49.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 SE TDI 5d 138 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

2L
102.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MB Executive Motor Company

02476936643 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,271

Finance available £325 pm

2L
60.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,299

Finance available £297 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarScene Ltd

01603337277 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
92.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BSS CAR SALES LTD

01362700947 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
138.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DERWENT MOTORS LTD

01332414504 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tobin Motors

01227203699 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£32,797

1.5L
2.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Reduced

£16,490

2L
93.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£24,721

2L
29.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,195

Finance available £138 pm

1.4L
87.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atherstone Garage

01827215683 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG, 18' LEEDS ALLOYS, WINTER PK 5-Door

£29,190

1.5L
2.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5-Door

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.6L
55.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Atlantic Motors

01736806430 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2002 (52) - 2.3 V5 3dr Auto [170bhp]

Low Mileage

£2,495

2.3L
105.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AMICAS GROUP LTD

01274028401 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
24.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Exeter

01414839930 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 (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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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