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.

5,216 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Hatch GTE 1.5 TSI 272ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door Auto

Low Mileage

£34,991

1.5L
719.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,490

1.6L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

UK WHEELS LIMITED

02039537447 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

£11,449

Finance available £233 pm

1.6L
79.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Automotive

02890023546 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Style EVO

£17,799

1.5L
34.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 bhp)

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1L
88.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Swale Auto Sales II LTD

01748906162 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,400

Finance available £165 pm

2L
63.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AutoNow Sawston

01223608679 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps) - PADDLE S

£33,578

Finance available £684 pm

2L
13.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,998

2L
7.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Reduced

£23,490

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf1983 (Y) - 1.8 GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£42,950

1.8L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Autologix Ltd

01246382878 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£19,998

1.5L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Leeds Roseville Road)

01134689402 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,591

2L
29.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr

100

Low Mileage

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Peverel car company ltd

01245204345 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door Manual

£23,995

1.5L
18.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£11,085

1.5L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham South

01156977747 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,799

1L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Worlingham Motor Company

01502441250 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£20,498

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Bathgate

01506353072 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Auto Globe Limited

01908765760 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps) Touchscreen, Android Au

£8,990

57.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 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.