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.

5,211 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,416

1.4L
40.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£23,695

2L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Reduced

£14,990

1.5L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuckfield Motor Company

01444221468 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,950

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BM Autoexchange

02891244334 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,489

Finance available £167 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Simcol Cars

01905953525 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.4 TSI SE 3-Door

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.4L
119.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wrights Motors

01366310748 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,440

Finance available £122 pm

1.6L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CARSALES

01733797197 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£5,950

Finance available £111 pm

2L
106.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MK Motors LTD

02830447161 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Match 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£21,401

1.5L
16.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,290

2L
18.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stratstone MINI Doncaster

01302972558 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 - 1.8 Clipper 2dr Auto

£9,990

1.8L
45.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Weston Heath Limited

01782432897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£22,450

Finance available £441 pm

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2dr

Reduced

£3,300

1.6L
65.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Leos Garage LTD

01312874294 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

2L
1.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,321

Finance available £602 pm

2L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Cardiff

02921675772 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,298

1.5L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (290 ps)

Low Mileage

£29,786

Finance available £591 pm

2L
26.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kingsbridge

01904237124 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

1.6L
66.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI GT Euro 5 5dr

£2,000

2L
156.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

4.5/5 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 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 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.