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.

5,228 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

£29,000

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

£2,995

2L
164.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

THE CAR PEOPLE - NEATH

01639509759 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

1.6L
47.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gary White Car Sales

02890021986 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Reduced

£14,895

Finance available £310 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Lakeside Autos

02890023124 *

Volkswagen Golf1999 (T) - 2.3 V5 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£2,995

2.3L
77.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mercia Cars

01630410587 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,100

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£28,498

2L
18.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,554

Finance available £368 pm

1.4L
36.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door + LEATHER

Low Mileage

£22,991

1.4L
24.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0T GTI Pirelli Edition 5dr DSG

100

Reduced

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

360 Automotive Ltd

01283241544 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI Life DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,500

Finance available £401 pm

1.5L
9.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Turners of Roborough

01752427448 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 5-Door

Reduced

£14,444

Finance available £300 pm

1.5L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Andrew James Cars Ltd

01474556864 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

1L
10.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
107.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,923

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£19,490

Finance available £380 pm

1.4L
39.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Autopoint

02893447250 *

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

Low Mileage

£37,495

2L
7.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,791

Finance available £365 pm

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Hartlepool

01429801269 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (3D) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,195

1.5L
54.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,200

Finance available £49 pm

1.6L
147.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wilson Wheels

01708973692 *

0/5 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 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 (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.

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