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.

5,285 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) CARPLAY+PA

£10,920

Finance available £217 pm

1.4L
63.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,495

1.6L
83.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,450

Finance available £427 pm

2L
16.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG Automatic

£33,000

1.5L
2.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 2.0 TFSI GTI 3-Door

Low Mileage

£4,995

2L
101.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Automotion Vehicle Sales

01752987252 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2016 16-Reg VW Golf 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack],MEGA SPEC,FSH!!!

Reduced

£11,988

Finance available £246 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,790

1.5L
91.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £253 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

ALPINE MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED

01382238351 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£22,801

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,989

Finance available £270 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£22,341

2L
52.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Hartlepool

01429801269 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £117 pm

1.6L
112.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle road motors

01562541311 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - ELECTRONIC HA

Low Mileage

£10,119

Finance available £196 pm

1.6L
57.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£20,237

1.5L
35.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£15,490

Finance available £260 pm

1.5L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NeilKieran Automotive

01325525221 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

£2,495

1.4L
126.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

KSM BHAM LTD

01217288727 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£20,498

1.5L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£11,499

1.4L
82.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Walton-on-Thames Volkswagen

01932507100 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 Tsi Evo Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Dsg Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£15,995

1.5L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EMG Motor Group Huntingdon

01480597486 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 Etsi Style 5Dr Dsg

Low Mileage

£26,350

1.5L
1.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Newcastle Scotswood Road

01916077232 *

0/5 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 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.