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.

5,302 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Reduced

£22,495

50.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Supercar Clinic Ltd

01204584584 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£36,200

Finance available £771 pm

2L
6.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£28,995

Finance available £575 pm

2L
24.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,385

19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MERIDIAN MOTOR VEHICLES LIMITED

01507308080 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI R Black Edition DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£50,958

25.0
Miles
Not Supplied
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£14,988

1.5L
66.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,998

1.5L
18.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Paisley)

01414040020 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,895

Finance available £333 pm

2L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SG MOTORHOUSE LTD

01992669367 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£28,995

Finance available £575 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

iGEN Autos

02890023662 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,000

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stringers of Petersfield

01730779314 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,900

1.5L
24.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£19,595

Finance available £382 pm

1.5L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,499

2L
86.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Speen Garage

01635015936 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Tsi Evo Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Dsg Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£15,775

1.5L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EMG Motor Group Huntingdon

01480597486 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£13,500

Finance available £279 pm

1.6L
54.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi 150 Style 5Dr

Low Mileage

£20,905

1.5L
9.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Silverlink

01916077583 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,890

Finance available £333 pm

2L
60.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Autohub Northampton

01604343474 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Reduced

£16,500

2L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hearsall Common Car Sales

02475105300 *

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 (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 (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 3dr 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.