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.

5,152 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

Reduced

£2,495

1.6L
179.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MY ISHAQ LTD

01217525785 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,650

Finance available £305 pm

2L
78.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cambridgeshire Motor House LTD

01733666971 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£20,225

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
10.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£23,790

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,799

Finance available £302 pm

1.5L
35.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Manchester

01614139868 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£17,991

1.5L
12.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Gloucester

01452689897 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

1.4L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mcmullin Motors

01752973034 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,499

1.6L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

A30 Car Sales of Hook

01256634773 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£16,300

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
20.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£17,649

Finance available £361 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01733309722 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.4L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JD Car Sales (East Anglia) LTD

01603567764 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,264

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps)

Reduced

£3,990

1.4L
88.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Highfield Cars

01562541206 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

1.5L
7.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

H J Wickett and Co

01752423700 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,949

Finance available £546 pm

2L
16.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf(14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,489

70.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Auto Investments UK Ltd

01162165682 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£4,790

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sway Road Car Sales

01792940350 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£15,542

Finance available £325 pm

1.4L
13.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Renault Retail Group Cardiff

02921675772 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,390

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Variety Cars

01869221716 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,695

Finance available £249 pm

1.4L
54.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 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 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.