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.

5,132 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£19,495

1.5L
18.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £275 pm

2L
36.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Clarke Cars

02890022258 *

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

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

2L
69.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
34.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Gtd Tdi Dsg 5-Door

£25,920

Finance available £512 pm

2L
28.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Motor Group Peterborough

01733666887 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 0l

Low Mileage

£12,995

2L
44.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Prestige Car Company

01493800239 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.2 TSI 105 S 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,390

1.2L
39.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,599

Finance available £259 pm

1.6L
40.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 Golf R 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Penny Hill Motors

01276538675 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,949

Finance available £371 pm

2L
37.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,586

1.5L
38.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£13,498

1.5L
59.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - SE TSI BLUEMOTION TECH AUTO ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,999

1.4L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Roundstone Car Sales

01903944818 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,298

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Huddersfield)

01484506234 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0 GTD 170 - 6 SPEED MANUAL - CARBON GREY - FSH - XENONS - LEATHERS 5-Door

£3,750

2L
165.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FA Tyre Services TA A41 Cars

01296254874 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - S 1.2 TSI 85 PS 5-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£8,752

1.2L
68.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£18,499

Finance available £379 pm

1.4L
40.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,999

Finance available £493 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

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

£8,779

Finance available £174 pm

2L
80.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Shahz Cars Ltd

01525308852 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,498

2L
21.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Wigan)

01942597310 *

4.7/5 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

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 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 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.