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.

5,257 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,998

2L
27.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Kilmarnock)

01563591754 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GT 1.5 TSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£16,352

1.5L
23.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.4 TSI 13KWH STYLE 5 DOOR DSG

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.4L
36.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Bespoke Motor Works Ltd

01642937532 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
97.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AK MOTORS (WEST MIDLANDS) LTD

01216618549 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr

£15,349

1.5L
62.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Kilwinning Autoplex

01294440522 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,781

Finance available £345 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,000

Finance available £243 pm

1.5L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 Tdi Bluemotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5-Door

£8,095

Finance available £159 pm

1.6L
90.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FifthGear Fenton LTD

01782969739 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£18,299

Finance available £379 pm

1.4L
37.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI SE Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,299

Finance available £51 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

OTR Motors

01612416878 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£21,149

Finance available £441 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birmingham

01217525223 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.6 FSI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,150

Finance available £70 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Leicester Car Centre Ltd

01164648301 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£17,342

1.5L
25.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG, **PAN ROOF, 18' ALLOYS, WINT 5-Door

£30,390

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,698

2L
63.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault / Dacia (Preston)

01772376280 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£4,395

Finance available £76 pm

1.6L
126.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castlefield Car Centre Ltd

01612416875 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,799

46.4K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

Low Mileage

£10,495

1L
56.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

1.6L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Martin Traynor Motors

02838299002 *

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