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.

5,340 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - MATCH TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 3-Door

Reduced

£6,693

Finance available £127 pm

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cjs autos ltd

01454803082 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI GTD 3door

Low Mileage

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
32.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rydon Car Sales Exeter

01392342738 *

Volkswagen Golf1.4L PETROL GOLF TOURAN TSI

Low Mileage

£5,400

Finance available £98 pm

59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (61) - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£10,975

Finance available £223 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Brook Williams Prestige

01215165545 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (31

Low Mileage

£24,499

Finance available £483 pm

2L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - HIGH LINE EDITION

Reduced

£9,190

Finance available £183 pm

1.4L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

V P I Used Car Sales Limited

02039377580 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door + 18' CATANIA ALLOYS + SPARE

£23,950

1.5L
3.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf1.2 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,450

Finance available £166 pm

1.2L
45.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

MAX MOTORS LTD

01293228244 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,695

Finance available £172 pm

1.6L
109.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
105.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Rose Motors LTD

07733642092 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
67.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Magee Automotive

02890022120 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - LIFE TSI 5-Door

£21,190

Finance available £415 pm

1.5L
6.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vic Young South Shields Limited

01916076221 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 2.0 TFSI GTI Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG (188 g/km, 198 bhp)

Reduced

£4,500

Finance available £78 pm

2L
143.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Beechwood Autos Ltd

01623709945 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,989

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Park Lane Motors LTD

01535280992 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£30,990

Finance available £616 pm

2L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Car Group

01633749117 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

1.6L
19.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

£11,990

1.5L
74.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

£2,595

2L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Khunais Cars

01216615633 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,791

1.5L
28.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

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 (2016 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 / 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

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