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.

5,250 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,998

1.5L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£10,450

Finance available £211 pm

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Martin Traynor Motors

02838299002 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
15.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,195

Finance available £116 pm

1.4L
103.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Warwick Hall Cars Limited

01616720739 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£14,845

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£16,495

Finance available £263 pm

2L
59.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

PEH Motors Ltd

01584700463 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

J G PRESTIGE CARS LTD

01903251714 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 3-Door

£4,250

2L
146.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chesterfield Motorstore / Vanstore

01246381032 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift e-Golf 136PS BEV Automatic 5dr Automatic

Reduced

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

28.2K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Crowsons of Spalding

01775660387 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,900

1L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG(ULEZ COMPLIANT 6 MONTHS FREE WARRANTY)

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
62.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Glasgow Vehicle Sales Ltd

01412866661 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3dr

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

2L
72.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 Life TSi 115PS Estate 5-Door

£23,241

1.5L
7.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£26,499

Finance available £524 pm

2L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - SE TSI BLUEMOTION TECH AUTO ESTATE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,999

1.4L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Roundstone Car Sales

01903944818 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI 150 R-Line Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.4L
58.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ARJ MOTORS

01932507141 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£40,200

2L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,568

1.5L
31.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall BYD Peterborough

01733907064 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

1L
95.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FM MOTORS GB LTD

02039484610 *

4.1/5 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 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.