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.

5,205 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 Golf Match TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cotswold Motor Park Ltd

01285702721 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 Turbo Diesel (TDI), Bluemotion Tech, GT Edition, 5 Door, Manual, Euro 6

£10,299

1.6L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - GTD TDI - 2 OWNERS - APPLE CAR PLAY - 12 MONTHS MOT 5-Door

£14,750

Finance available £307 pm

2L
71.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R Black Edition 2.0 TSI 4Motion 333ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£49,000

2L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,399

Finance available £76 pm

1.4L
81.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CARHUB MK LTD

01908010437 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,950

Finance available £389 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Countryside Commercials ltd

01405800967 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1984 (A) - 1.8 GTi 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,998

Finance available £67 pm

1.8L
112.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

PSG Car And Van Hire Limited

01217288820 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,000

1.5L
39.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
139.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Fusion Autos LTD

02921676819 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

Reduced

£30,998

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,266

Finance available £488 pm

1.5L
8.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£9,000

1.5L
84.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Fusion Motors Limited

01375808581 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
79.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Automotive

02890023546 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5DR HATCHBACK

Reduced

£1,490

1.4L
173.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

WMC

01212706882 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,100

Finance available £248 pm

2L
102.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2001 - GTI

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

72.0K
Miles
Not Supplied
Manual
Not Supplied

Kars of Falmouth

01326331223 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,498

1.5L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wakefield Motorstore / Vanstore

01924664046 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

2L
83.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AMC Car Sales

01212722821 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG + 19' ESTORIL ALLOYS/DCC/BLACK STYLE/CAME

Low Mileage

£40,998

2L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Chester Car Supermarket Ltd

01244562668 *

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 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.