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.

5,248 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 Golf Match TSi Evo 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

1.5L
43.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Richlee Motor Company Rayleigh

01268219714 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
34.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
55.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,695

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
105.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

1.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,498

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leeds Roseville Road)

01134689402 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£28,990

1.5L
121.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.5L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Ballymena Motorstore

02825447459 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£22,199

Finance available £474 pm

2L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150PS Life EVO DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,749

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£25,850

Finance available £511 pm

2L
32.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

U-First Used Cars

02894330831 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£22,691

1.4L
11.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£38,045

2L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Reduced

£1,295

1.6L
93.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BILLA MOTORS LIMITED

02039123683 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£39,790

Finance available £797 pm

2L
3.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - R32 3180cc 5 Door Hatchback 2006 - Import - Cheap Tax Bracket

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

3.2L
63.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stirling Cars Ltd

01992661749 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr

Reduced

£3,295

Finance available £51 pm

1.6L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chess Valley Autos

01494296482 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.K. Car Sales NI LTD

02890023682 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - HEATED S

Low Mileage

£20,568

Finance available £411 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
99.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Cars and Commercials Ltd

01227203373 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vollgas Automotive Ltd

01282509482 *

5/5 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 (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 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