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.

5,135 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

£9,489

Finance available £190 pm

2L
101.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DJH Prestige And Sports

01216615564 *

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 Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£20,665

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
74.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

VHM Auto LTD

01216618540 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,849

2L
21.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leicester

01164646061 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (61) - GOLF GTI TSI Edition 30 5 Door Hatchback

Low Mileage

£8,500

2L
81.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jaky Motors

01274028369 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style DSG 5-Door

£16,197

Finance available £326 pm

1.5L
53.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Lincoln

01522459088 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£14,499

Finance available £302 pm

2L
83.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
100.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,300

Finance available £288 pm

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,549

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
36.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.0 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,497

Finance available £375 pm

1L
8.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.2 TSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,895

1.2L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ASD Motorhouse Ltd

01902240189 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - GT EDITION 1.6 TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Reduced

£8,290

Finance available £163 pm

1.6L
95.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Group 1 Motor Company Ltd

01942365317 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,995

1.4L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dryden BCS

01212722017 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

2L
103.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Warwickshire Prestige Cars

02475105246 *

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

£12,974

Finance available £273 pm

2L
88.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,649

Finance available £328 pm

2L
45.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,700

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

2L
85.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Northants Van Centre

01933839540 *

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 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 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.