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.

5,286 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
85.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

County Car Company

01935311768 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

2L
54.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£17,790

Finance available £345 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenhill Autos

01386573316 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 2.0 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 4 (140 ps)

£2,290

2L
185.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Your Motoring Limited

01487800643 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (20

£11,965

1.4L
70.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Parkside Motors Ltd

02039475180 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,300

Finance available £335 pm

1L
11.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,400

Finance available £337 pm

1.5L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Reduced

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
47.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

360 Automotive Ltd

01283241544 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr SALVAGE DAMAGED

£10,991

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS

01280733612 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,699

Finance available £105 pm

1.6L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,795

Finance available £331 pm

2L
44.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jackson Car Sales

01362700945 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.9 S TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.9L
154.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S&K Motors

01205335102 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
90.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Reduced

£7,500

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

£4,975

Finance available £89 pm

2L
136.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

PEELS WHEELS LIMITED

01524938217 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.2 TSi BLUEMOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.2L
61.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

Reduced

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.4L
70.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

M.J.S Cars LTD

02890023227 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 - GOLF GTI 1.8 AUTOMATIC 5 DOOR * ONLY 34000 MILES * TOP GRADE 4 *

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.8L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£16,550

2L
35.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

East Midlands Vans

01163668374 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT AUTO 5 DR

Reduced

£16,495

1.5L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Victoria Motors Ltd

01747440831 *

4.8/5 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 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 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.