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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5-Door

£15,197

Finance available £304 pm

2L
51.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6

Low Mileage

£20,999

1.5L
23.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Norton Way Honda

01462412594 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,690

Finance available £216 pm

2L
80.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Brookway Cars ltd

01515417904 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

1.6L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AR Auto Sales Ltd

01312025143 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - S 79BHP 5-Door

£1,795

1.4L
200.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,950

Finance available £88 pm

1.6L
134.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Reduced

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

2L
66.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

WMGB

01278550715 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) - PADDLE SHIFT -

£20,039

Finance available £400 pm

2L
64.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 99kW e-Golf 35kWh 5dr Auto

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

46.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

COVENTRY TRADE CARS LTD

02476936595 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,143

1.5L
42.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - TSI 125 DSG Match Edition 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,799

1.4L
44.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Nissan Crawley

01293222745 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
91.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Northern Autos Ltd

01254457271 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Clifby Motor Centre

01422410533 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 3dr

Low Mileage

£10,998

1.4L
46.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,998

1.5L
31.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Dumbarton)

01389310597 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (60) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
57.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Supercar Clinic Ltd

01204584584 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 eTSI Life DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,697

Finance available £358 pm

1L
24.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Hessle

01482947558 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,000

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

iCARS UK

02039095433 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£6,895

Finance available £132 pm

1.6L
65.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Shaneys Autos Ltd

01603937082 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,499

Finance available £487 pm

2L
32.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 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

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Shop by Trim

Shop by Body Style

Shop by Engine Size

Shop by Fuel Type

Shop by Transmission

Shop by Colour

Shop by Registration Year