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.

5,400 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,249

Finance available £117 pm

1.4L
60.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ASM AUTOS LTD

01216618737 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£31,000

Finance available £538 pm

2L
5.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

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

Reduced

£16,498

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Stoke-on-Trent Vauxhall / Vanstore

01782432080 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,750

Finance available £467 pm

2L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

Volkswagen GolfTDI Match

Low Mileage

£2,298

79.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Blackwood Used Car Ltd

02890021467 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5DR HATCHBACK

£1,590

1.4L
173.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

WMC

01212706882 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door

£23,795

1.5L
11.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

John Clark Volkswagen Aberdeen

01224454474 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11)

£5,796

Finance available £107 pm

1.4L
35.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,400

Finance available £436 pm

2L
21.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,195

1L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£20,500

1.5L
20.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,490

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Lancashire Autos LTD

01254457567 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

2L
72.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Beechwood Autos Ltd

01623709945 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - TSI Style 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £365 pm

1.5L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hendy Car Store Exeter

01392342593 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG

£18,956

1.5L
44.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr [Nav]

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

J Hair Motors

02890023607 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,998

1.5L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Ayr BYD

01292432784 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,898

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Inverness MINI

01463210682 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£15,498

1.5L
55.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

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

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.

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