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.

5,396 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Touchscreen

£19,499

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
30.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,998

1.4L
45.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Mazda/Fiat/Abarth/Jeep/BYD/Leapmotor

01224451052 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£27,799

Finance available £587 pm

2L
4.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,790

2L
120.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lancashire Autos LTD

01254457567 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
66.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

A47 Car Sales Ltd

01945664308 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

£31,998

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£24,899

Finance available £534 pm

2L
16.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

1L
13.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sagitta Automotive

01332419209 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 Golf GT TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,110

Finance available £226 pm

2L
70.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
44.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Armstrong Massey Driffield

01377310214 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AHC CAR SALES LTD

01135123659 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£19,684

2L
12.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
33.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Penrith)

01768800651 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,599

Finance available £230 pm

1L
49.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hazelton Motors

02890023654 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£19,498

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£16,199

1.4L
65.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1999 - 1.9 TDI [TURBO DIESEL] 3-Door

Low Mileage

£1,695

1.9L
126.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

PRESTIGE BHP

01753915481 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.4L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

S & S Car Sales

01592407421 *

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 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.

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