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.

5,263 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£30,990

Finance available £616 pm

2L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Redgate Lodge

01916077194 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,950

Finance available £430 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,850

Finance available £443 pm

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

£19,795

Finance available £386 pm

1.5L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Todds of Campsie

02871220972 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,498

1.5L
22.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Mazda/Fiat/Abarth/Jeep/Leapmotor

01224451052 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,499

Finance available £380 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£8,695

Finance available £172 pm

1.5L
103.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorswitch Ltd

01942364531 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£27,799

Finance available £599 pm

1.5L
330.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 2d 104 BHP 2-Door

Reduced

£5,995

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

D & J Autos Ltd

01525300684 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Low Mileage

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wilson Motors

02890026929 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,395

Finance available £210 pm

2L
86.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Luks car sales garage ltd

01162162323 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,099

Finance available £293 pm

1.4L
36.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

£17,390

Finance available £337 pm

1L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Roadside Motors (Armagh) Ltd

02890026875 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr History, Cambelt and Clutch replaced

Low Mileage

£3,495

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RobertsCarscouk

01352871761 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 Golf Life TDI 5dr

£13,300

Finance available £275 pm

2L
83.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Braunstone Crossroads Motors

01164028881 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,198

1L
44.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.4L TSI-AUTOMATIC-ULEZ/CAZ PASS-FREE 18MONTHS GOLD WARRANTY & 12MONTHS AA

Low Mileage

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

1.4L
49.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carolina Motors UK

01733666958 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - e-Golf 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

39.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Car Supermarket Kettering Ltd

01536219120 *

Volkswagen Golf1990 - 1.8 GTI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,990

1.8L
145.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carz-4-U

01733666885 *

3.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,475

1.6L
94.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Leicester Car Centre Ltd

01164648301 *

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 (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.