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.

5,267 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£16,375

Finance available £323 pm

1.5L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TDI R-Line 5-Door

£15,995

2L
50.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Spencers Car Sales

01603931848 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£4,790

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sway Road Car Sales

01792940350 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2-Door

Low Mileage

£3,999

1.6L
94.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Vantage Car Sales Barnham Ltd

01243979957 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

1.4L
30.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (11

Reduced

£7,985

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
106.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

South & West Motors Ltd

01225613057 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,199

Finance available £295 pm

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Klassified Ltd

01788227381 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TSI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition 3-Door

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
48.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,656

Finance available £327 pm

1.5L
22.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Coventry

02476936631 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lexus Gatwick

01293223011 *

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 1.4 SE TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£6,995

115.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG AREA VIEW, WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£29,490

1.5L
809.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,097

Finance available £302 pm

1.5L
28.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Barnsley

01226448498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,995

2L
102.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AMC Car Sales

01212722821 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - TSI EVO GT Estate 1.5 Manual Petrol 5-Door

£11,630

Finance available £238 pm

1.5L
73.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Harpers Cumbria

01228273201 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 2dr

Reduced

£3,299

1.6L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Saver Motors

01919333978 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,450

Finance available £259 pm

2L
75.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£25,200

Finance available £530 pm

2L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - R-Line 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£17,737

1.5L
50.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

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 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.