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 Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£22,995

Finance available £378 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,990

Finance available £111 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace4Cars LTD

01217287421 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr DSG

£16,799

Finance available £353 pm

1.5L
3.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 TDI SE Euro 4 5dr

£1,750

1.9L
182.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Barry Bangers

02922679524 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,491

1.4L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,699

Finance available £308 pm

1.5L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - Life Tsi 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,620

Finance available £371 pm

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 Golf GTi Launch 3dr

Low Mileage

£13,990

2L
63.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTD TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£12,990

Finance available £262 pm

2L
99.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

City Motors (Cambs) Ltd

01733666873 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI 5dr

Reduced

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Cardiff Cars Sales

02920028847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) - PADDLE SHIFT -

£20,700

Finance available £414 pm

2L
50.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Southampton

01489663574 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI GT 5dr

Reduced

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.4L
81.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Cars Ltd

01753291623 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£25,495

Finance available £503 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Crawford Clarke Cars

02890022258 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 GTI CLUBSPORT S 3d 306 BHP 3-Door

Reduced

£27,500

Finance available £544 pm

2L
27.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Praters Of Hollingdon LLP

01525308854 *

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 Golf2020 - TSI Style 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,999

1.5L
34.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Peat Motors Ltd

01529401220 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£25,698

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 Golf GTi TSi 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,350

Finance available £343 pm

2L
58.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ryds Group Ltd

02038704048 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - R TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,495

Finance available £462 pm

2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Williams Automotive Ltd

01235636668 *

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.