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.

5,296 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,795

Finance available £197 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,490

Finance available £289 pm

1.6L
38.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Penton Citroen Salisbury

01722445449 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£27,000

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,395

Finance available £322 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Top Gear NI

02879440940 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.6 SE 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mintys Car Sales Ltd

01843269124 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Project One

01780431403 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
35.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr - £20 Road Tax

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
101.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Maximum Car Supermarket

02392002264 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,599

Finance available £424 pm

1.5L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
58.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Junction 5 Car Sales

01494977888 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

£3,250

Finance available £50 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pipehill Cars

01543221773 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - TDI 184 DSG GTD 5-Door

£17,499

Finance available £376 pm

2L
57.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.5L
68.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Craigton Cars

01412601250 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,995

1.5L
45.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Harding Motor Company Ltd

01513174813 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr Diesel Manual 5 Door

£995

1.6L
176.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chartwell Suffolk Ltd

01787326839 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
63.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Spratt Vehicle Solutions Ltd

02871226211 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO Match 5-Door

£12,489

1.5L
52.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

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

Low Mileage

£12,949

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
32.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

1L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ALIZ WORLD LIMITED

01582342206 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 Golf GT BlueMotion Technology TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,695

Finance available £217 pm

2L
29.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grays of Holbeach

01406430115 *

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 (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.