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.

5,296 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

£46,990

2L
1.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£36,498

2L
13.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr Full service record, Gorgeous car

Low Mileage

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RobertsCarscouk

01352871761 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - DSG One Owner Ex Police 5-Door

Reduced

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
166.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CSK Cars And Commercials

01639501144 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (20

£16,499

Finance available £318 pm

1.4L
44.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
108.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cardiff Cars Sales

02920028847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 204 Style eHybrid 5dr DSG Auto

Reduced

£28,767

1.5L
8.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Reduced

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
47.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

360 Automotive Ltd

01283241544 *

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

£12,989

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

DJH Prestige And Sports

01216615564 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£14,551

Finance available £303 pm

1.5L
80.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

PRO AUTOCARS LTD

01256587054 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£13,199

Finance available £273 pm

1.5L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,399

Finance available £399 pm

1.5L
5.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

1.6L
90.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Brian McManus Car Sales Ltd

02890021675 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£5,494

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Brothers Car Lot

01726219474 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,250

Finance available £117 pm

1.6L
68.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

T&T (LEIC) CAR SALES LTD

01164646081 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5

Reduced

£6,995

1.4L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jefferies Car Centre Ltd

01373489224 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

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

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 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.