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.

5,136 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (12

£8,913

Finance available £177 pm

1.4L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

OPPO CARS LTD

02038978713 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,050

Finance available £381 pm

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£7,395

Finance available £143 pm

1.6L
95.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

C&P Motors

02890022267 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

1.5L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Paul Mulford T/A AUTOPARK

01603978058 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

Low Mileage

£20,340

1.5L
10.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
85.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tore Car Sales

01463217401 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£16,748

1.5L
28.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Honda Truro

01872301804 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£16,490

2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FJ Chalke Nissan Yeovil

01935311784 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

1.4L
27.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Best Car 4 You Ltd

01416118629 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

K2 Cars Omagh (NI) Ltd

02890023705 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,450

Finance available £358 pm

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kenny Murray Cars Ltd

01346410131 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI SE Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
106.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Barriecars Ltd

01302972376 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£19,698

1.5L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£25,690

Finance available £507 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BSP Motor Vehicles Ltd

01332419208 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

2L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOBAHN VEHICLE SALES

01234237572 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Life DSG 5-Door

£20,197

Finance available £412 pm

2L
18.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3door

Low Mileage

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
32.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rydon Car Sales Exeter

01392342738 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
38.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£19,064

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 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 2020)

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.

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