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.

5,322 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

2L
93.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wainman Motors

01733902676 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£21,450

Finance available £420 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DG Cars & 4X4 LTD

02890023125 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI S 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Stour Valley Cars Limited

01787322913 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,899

1.4L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,500

Finance available £376 pm

2L
43.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£21,995

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,799

Finance available £375 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion - Automatic - part ex to clear 5-Door

£1,500

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Llandarcy Car Sales

01639501388 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
84.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

HD AUTOS SHEFFIELD

01144786507 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,295

Finance available £319 pm

1L
20.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Auto Avenue Birmingham Ltd

01902951111 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
8.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,100

Finance available £342 pm

1.5L
41.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,440

Finance available £358 pm

1.5L
43.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

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

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
71.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,547

2L
53.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

£10,490

Finance available £212 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Whitley Bay Motors LTD

01916075847 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - TDI DSG Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,649

Finance available £425 pm

2L
17.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,956

Finance available £356 pm

2L
36.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

£4,800

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bhakar-Wood Cars LTD

01952953931 *

4.9/5 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

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 (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 3dr 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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Shop by Trim

Shop by Body Style

Shop by Engine Size

Shop by Fuel Type

Shop by Transmission

Shop by Colour

Shop by Registration Year