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.

5,135 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£16,035

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Cheltenham

01452227297 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,420

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
62.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£30,990

Finance available £616 pm

2L
6.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,999

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) Manual

£12,390

Finance available £254 pm

2L
93.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Days Cardiff

02920021261 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,689

1.5L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

1.6L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cars of Ferndown

01202068605 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tobin Motors

01227203699 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - 2.0 Sport TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,195

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Keighley Vehicle Sales

01535281001 *

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 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£7,995

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wheels In Motion Sherborne

01935311739 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps) - NAV - HK AUDIO

£27,395

Finance available £554 pm

2L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr Black Manual Petrol ULEZ FVWSH

Low Mileage

£11,795

Finance available £241 pm

1.4L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Calibre Car Sales

01206489522 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£29,490

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
55.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,490

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Halesowen Trade Centre Ltd

01217288685 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Reduced

£2,495

1.6L
160.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Allerton Trade Centre Ltd

01274028103 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£26,099

Finance available £549 pm

2L
26.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 R DSG 3d 270 BHP 3-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
71.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

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 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.