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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£30,791

2L
14.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,389

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
52.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
34.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr

£750

1.6L
196.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Brentwood Vehicle Sales Limited

01708973726 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTE .5 TSI (272ps) DSG 5-Door

£30,699

Finance available £584 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£22,450

Finance available £441 pm

1.5L
3.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Belfast Motorstore

02890022198 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Reduced

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

KPH SYKEHOUSE LTD TA Priory Motors

01405801107 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,300

Finance available £163 pm

2L
113.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMS Motors

01144786434 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

1.6L
103.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cathedral Road Car Sales

02837440625 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Strategic Vehicle Solutions Ltd

01205332561 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£12,980

Finance available £268 pm

32.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,200

Finance available £72 pm

1.4L
32.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition 5-Door

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
84.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BOWEN AUTOMOTIVE LTD

01685706038 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,298

1L
49.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield Motorstore / Vanstore

01316034404 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£13,678

Finance available £266 pm

1.5L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)-1 Owner Ca

£21,950

Finance available £430 pm

1.5L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,510

1.5L
21.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

1L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6

Low Mileage

£11,499

Finance available £235 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 2.0T GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,250

Finance available £50 pm

2L
121.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOMOTIVE PRESTIGE LTD

01162162548 *

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.