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.

5,409 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 e Tsi Mhev R-Line Automatic 5-Door

£17,689

1.5L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

1st Car Ltd

01482739132 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Automatic 4WD 5dr - NATIONAL DELIVERY*

£15,495

£324/pm (HP)

2L
74.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Belle Vue Vehicles

01916077233 *

Volkswagen Golf2002 (52) - 2.0 GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual (194 g/km, 115 bhp)

Low Mileage

£2,500

2L
125.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Premier Motor Collection

01143089153 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG Automatic

£26,400

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,199

£317/pm (HP)

2L
60.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style 5-Door

£18,995

£299/pm (PCP)

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Baytree Car Sales

01406430108 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport 5-Door

Low Mileage

£21,993

£307/pm (PCP)

2L
36.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (KP) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140 ps

Low Mileage

£7,990

£156/pm (HP)

2L
41.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Per4mance Cars Limited

01625468256 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£7,995

£156/pm (HP)

2L
114.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Redpath & Mclean Motor Ltd

01316036539 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 Tsi 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5Dr Dsg

£44,899

2L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Volkswagen Northallerton

01609710554 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,290

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,995

£335/pm (HP)

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Alverstoke Automotive LTD

01902290499 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£28,500

£445/pm (PCP)

2L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Automatic

£26,795

2L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,549

£340/pm (HP)

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI GT Edition 5dr

£17,950

£322/pm (PCP)

1.6L
43.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£34,950

£539/pm (PCP)

2L
7.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,298

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Wakefield Motorstore / Vanstore

01924664046 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,799

£197/pm (HP)

1.4L
70.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£11,995

£246/pm (HP)

2L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Farran Auto Sales Ltd

02895908570 *

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 Present)

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 3dr 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.