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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£18,199

1.5L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Stockport

01615298284 *

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,795

1.6L
148.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bourne Valley Autos

01264311668 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (58) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

£1,595

1.4L
181.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ukandrewhunt

01172331353 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

58.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Atherstone Garage

01827215683 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (58) - 2.0 TFSI GTI Pirelli Edition DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
97.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hamilton Grays Ltd

07816430599 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) A

Reduced

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£18,399

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Invicta Doves Horsham

01403338915 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carter and Haines

01244562742 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
55.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Yeomans Nissan Portsmouth

02392006082 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,745

Finance available £61 pm

2L
107.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£27,490

Finance available £544 pm

2L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fusco Vehicle Sales

02891249214 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

£8,600

Finance available £170 pm

68.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

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 Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match MPV 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Automatic

Low Mileage

£13,895

1.5L
45.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Sinclair Direct Bridgend

01656339498 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 3dr

Reduced

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

3.2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Berkshire Car Planet Limited

01753968045 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
93.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Evelan Car Sales

02890023161 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (11) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
48.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Dunfermline

01383347038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,789

Finance available £129 pm

2L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

£2,795

2L
130.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chapel Hill Motors

01484506279 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Assured Cars Scotland LTD Cumbernald

01316034391 *

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 (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.