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 Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,895

1.6L
155.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.6 TDI S Euro 5 5dr

£1,890

1.6L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Syston Autos LTD

01162165591 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,300

Finance available £326 pm

1.5L
26.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£21,383

1.4L
18.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Mercedes-Benz of Winchester

01962676278 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT 5-Door

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

1.4L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,999

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Castleford

01977800692 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (57) - AUTOMATIC VW GOLF 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,950

Finance available £111 pm

1.4L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.0 TSI (110ps) Active MANUAL

£17,790

1L
30.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - R-Line Etsi S-A Auto 5-Door

Low Mileage

£22,859

1.5L
19.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cawdor Newcastle Emlyn

01239801073 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

1L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

C Russell Auto Sales Ltd

02844330222 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - Estate SE Nav 1.5 TSI 130PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£17,440

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,990

1.5L
47.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style 5dr

Reduced

£15,490

Finance available £324 pm

2L
67.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£6,650

1.5L
40.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Thames Street Auto Salvage

01158224073 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

2L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.A.Hegarty Motors

02890023678 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,990

1L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,999

2L
54.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Irvine Outlet & EV Centre

01294444950 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£21,695

Finance available £425 pm

2L
19.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pat Kirk Ltd

02871221794 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,478

1.5L
18.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall MINI Hampshire

01256268336 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG 5DR

Low Mileage

£20,650

2L
40.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

John Clark Skoda Dundee

01382279255 *

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 (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