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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 2.0 GTI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

2L
136.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Terminus Road

01424234748 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£14,250

1.5L
76.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,595

1.5L
28.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
11.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ravenswood Performance Ltd

01444222070 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£10,380

1.4L
54.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
117.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Oakways Car Sales

01217525803 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,800

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

1.6L
88.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD £35 TAX 2-Door

Low Mileage

£4,595

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

C-Car Sales Ltd

01902907243 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 2.0 TDI CR S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
123.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - Gtd Tdi Dsg 5-Door

Low Mileage

£29,520

Finance available £637 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,200

Finance available £271 pm

1.6L
41.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Philip Holland Cars

02893448897 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

£27,989

2L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Essex Prestige Autos Ltd

01279967337 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£2,489

1.6L
172.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BEECHES MOTOR ZONE LTD

01535280436 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,050

Finance available £535 pm

1.5L
99.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,495

Finance available £252 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£22,490

1.5L
11.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 1.6 TDI SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,750

1.6L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

LYTHAM MOTOR COMPANY LTD

01253200832 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 - TFSI GTI 3-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
85.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Barnsley Commercial Sales Ltd

01226107459 *

4.7/5 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 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 (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.