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.

5,151 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr DSG

£8,995

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SM CARS (LANCASTER) LTD

01524938893 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,499

Finance available £257 pm

2L
102.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

DRB Car Sales

01822661268 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,695

Finance available £261 pm

1.5L
81.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Luks car sales garage ltd

01162162323 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.5L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr DSG

£3,750

1.6L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

South West Motor Sales

01744419366 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Estate Auto 5dr

Reduced

£13,499

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AW Car House Ltd

01827213842 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,250

Finance available £184 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McDermott Motors

02890023775 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,994

2L
35.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,990

1.5L
67.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

£11,130

Finance available £226 pm

1.4L
94.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£17,495

Finance available £383 pm

1.5L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£12,499

Finance available £209 pm

1.5L
72.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Roxburghe Group

01217288719 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£19,358

Finance available £385 pm

1.4L
38.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,450

Finance available £400 pm

1.5L
21.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£9,895

Finance available £199 pm

48.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

J Stuart & Co Ltd

01518322201 *

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

£9,995

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,000

1.4L
65.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG [Leather]

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Nuhr Motor Company

01216618721 *

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

Low Mileage

£2,390

1.6L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ck Car Sales

01902925988 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,900

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tobin Motors

01227203699 *

0/5 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 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 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.