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.

5,197 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
60.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,600

Finance available £304 pm

1.5L
80.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI CR S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,395

Finance available £76 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CB Autos UK Ltd

01793268067 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,990

Finance available £313 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Trinity Motorz

01709212047 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,499

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
39.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG TOP SPEC

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Quality Car Sales

01924667062 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 TDI DPF GT Sport 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,490

Finance available £56 pm

2L
115.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car 4 You Limited

01215160924 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,395

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

T Wall Garages Citroen - Kingswinford

01384319487 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Life Manual

Low Mileage

£18,500

1L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 8 Style 1.5 TSI 130PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£18,215

1.5L
20.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£26,700

2L
9.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£45,448

2L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Amayr Car Sales

02920028833 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,499

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AL PRESTIGE CARS LTD

02380017157 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Grand Motors Stockport Ltd

01614139892 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,498

1.5L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Bolton)

01204324180 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI GT Edition Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,600

Finance available £356 pm

2L
25.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 Golf GTD 5dr

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Berrow Motors

01278554025 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,298

1.6L
42.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lakeland Cars (NI) Ltd

02890023697 *

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 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.

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