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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 Tdi Bluemotion Tech S Hatchback 5-Door

Reduced

£4,975

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GMC MOTORS B'HAM LIMITED

01217285878 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,750

Finance available £151 pm

1.4L
84.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Landmark Motors LTD

01375803848 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5-Door

£22,197

Finance available £454 pm

1.5L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GM Car Sales

08081686396 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 Petrol Automatic CC TSI 5 Seats 5dr ULEZ Free

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.4L
44.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TM UK TRADING LTD

02037637078 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,700

Finance available £105 pm

1.6L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MDLUXEAUTO

01162166642 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Reduced

£35,300

2L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,700

Finance available £426 pm

2L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,895

Finance available £176 pm

1.6L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£19,000

Finance available £370 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Shop

01217288893 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,299

2L
39.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
30.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,250

Finance available £95 pm

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Low Mileage

£18,495

1.5L
10.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,499

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Mazda Kendal)

01539760922 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

£2,995

1.2L
122.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Clives Autos Quayside

01206482938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,450

Finance available £233 pm

1.5L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sarah Cox Cars Ltd

01623706190 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.6K
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 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.