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.

5,190 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,489

Finance available £190 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Manor Farm Cars Ltd

01217525777 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£20,442

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - MK7 Facelift 1.4 TSI S 125PS 5Dr

Low Mileage

£10,991

1.4L
50.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 - S 105BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,295

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carzuma LTD

02037808972 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£12,010

1.5L
63.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£22,518

1.5L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

£1,789

1.2L
161.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BEECHES MOTOR ZONE LTD

01535280436 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 Golf Match TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
51.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swaan Motors Ltd

01733667053 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI SE Cabriolet 2dr Convertible

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
101.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Motoworld (Leeds)

01134676319 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£4,950

Finance available £88 pm

2L
137.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Express

01144789315 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Hatchback

£14,619

1.5L
51.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Perrys Milton Keynes Peugeot

01908049752 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£23,495

Finance available £389 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£10,790

Finance available £219 pm

1.5L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Riverside SEAT Hull

01482429290 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

3.2L
130.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

THE CAR COMPANY SW LTD

01803225606 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - TSI GTI 2-Door

Low Mileage

£7,940

Finance available £155 pm

2L
78.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

RB AUTOS SW LIMITED TA Bristol Car Centre

01172331345 *

Volkswagen Golf1998 (R) - 2.8 VR6 5dr

Reduced

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2.8L
111.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jdm-direct-imports

02476936580 *

Volkswagen Golf1989 (F) - 1.8 GTI 2dr

Reduced

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.8L
100.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

T and T Motors

01924665188 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

2L
91.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

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

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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Shop by Trim

Shop by Body Style

Shop by Engine Size

Shop by Fuel Type

Shop by Transmission

Shop by Colour

Shop by Registration Year