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.

5,272 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - GTD 2.0 TDI 200PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

£26,495

2L
26.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£19,600

1.5L
19.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG | Heated Front Seats

Low Mileage

£42,990

Finance available £825 pm

2L
500.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£28,498

2L
18.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150ps 7-Speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£33,813

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,299

Finance available £488 pm

1.4L
7.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£36,295

2L
7.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£2,195

1.4L
135.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

INFINITE VEHICLE SALES LTD

01773302789 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,999

Finance available £482 pm

1.5L
1.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift 1.5 TSI GT Edition EVO 150PS DSG Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,200

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.6 TDi 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£3,350

Finance available £53 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DF Trading LLP

01134676281 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI S Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,299

Finance available £51 pm

1.4L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Safe Cars

01234861497 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

Reduced

£4,900

Finance available £87 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£11,200

Finance available £228 pm

1.6L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps) FULL SERVICE HIS

£13,695

2L
92.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£31,990

Finance available £637 pm

2L
17.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Crowsons of Spalding

01775660387 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,698

1.5L
43.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (Bishopbriggs)

01414736414 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£11,749

Finance available £226 pm

1.6L
68.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Style 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door | Parking sensors |

£26,490

Finance available £501 pm

1.5L
7.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Precision Motor Group

02039537318 *

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