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.

5,295 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 5-Door

£3,790

1.6L
146.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carnections

01708947004 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 - 1.8 Clipper 2dr Auto

£9,990

Finance available £201 pm

1.8L
45.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Weston Heath Limited

01782432897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps) - ADAPT CR

£20,131

2L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SELECT MOTOR COMPANY

01603978058 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,695

Finance available £83 pm

1.6L
121.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,499

Finance available £380 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stephen Allen Motors

02890026820 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - TSI Style 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,999

1.5L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Peat Motors Ltd

01529401220 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£22,346

1.5L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Harlow

01279967334 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG - FSH -

£11,490

2L
107.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Glasshoughton Car Sales

01977803305 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0TDI GTD 184 Bluemotion Estate Manual 5-Door

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

C D commercials

01785335440 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
18.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
129.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CKB Cars

02894330177 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£5,399

Finance available £98 pm

1.6L
98.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Boston Car Centre

07470022010 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£9,700

1L
108.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
113.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorology

01515417934 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr DSG [Performance Pack/Nav]

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £357 pm

2L
52.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Victoria Road Motors LTD

01792001639 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

2L
58.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Central Service Garage

01302246765 *

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.