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.

5,297 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,176

Finance available £368 pm

1.5L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rutherglen Motor Company

01414049997 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£32,490

Finance available £647 pm

2L
6.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£23,495

Finance available £389 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
107.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,740

Finance available £352 pm

1.5L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Life

Low Mileage

£16,491

1L
19.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
64.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI Clubsport 2.0 TSI 300ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£47,827

2L
2.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
34.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - GT EDITION TSI EVO DSG - APPLE CAR PLAY -ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

George Kingsley Vehicle Sales

01206580921 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

1.6L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

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

Low Mileage

£16,970

2L
55.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,940

Finance available £110 pm

1.4L
102.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AAM OXFORD CARS LTD

01865411694 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£16,100

Finance available £270 pm

2L
33.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

2L
91.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,290

Finance available £342 pm

1L
22.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TSI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,300

Finance available £230 pm

1.4L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Howard Banks Cars Ltd

01279212075 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,798

1.5L
15.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

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 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 (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.

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