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.

5,054 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,498

1L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£29,272

Finance available £606 pm

2L
13.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,897

Finance available £427 pm

1.4L
14.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Barnsley

01226448498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Active Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,995

Finance available £290 pm

1L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

N T Shaw Of Louth

01507306898 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Preston Motorstore / BYD

01772957336 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £350 pm

1.5L
55.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI S Cabriolet 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps)

Reduced

£6,495

1.4L
54.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,998

2L
66.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Linwood Hyundai / Mazda / GWM / Used Car Centre

01414060040 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 R-LINE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5DR Manual

Reduced

£14,781

2L
47.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Daniel Maxwell Car Sales

01614139879 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,100

Finance available £331 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,249

Finance available £184 pm

2L
57.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Cabriolet Euro 5 (s/s) 2dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.6L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Iconic Vehicle Sales

01245678836 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arrow Motor Company

01325521616 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dmac Motors Ltd

02882440436 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 290 GTI TCR 3dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£29,265

2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 1.9 SE TDI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£1,795

1.9L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

H & S Autos

02476936574 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

£2,795

1.4L
145.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tullyroad Motors

02890023743 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Brook Williams Prestige

01215165545 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,300

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
72.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 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.