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.

5,206 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,500

Finance available £262 pm

1.6L
39.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - ADAPT CRUIS

Low Mileage

£14,819

Finance available £290 pm

2L
51.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£7,750

Finance available £151 pm

1.6L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Martin Traynor Motors

02838299002 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

£30,649

Finance available £649 pm

1.5L
9.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Manchester

01614139868 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£13,199

Finance available £264 pm

1.4L
44.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,974

Finance available £273 pm

2L
88.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,312

Finance available £417 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£27,395

Finance available £554 pm

2L
39.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,199

Finance available £295 pm

1.4L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 Golf R DSG 4WD 5dr

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
80.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - R-Line Etsi Dsg 5-Door

£18,755

Finance available £397 pm

1.5L
46.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£25,698

1.5L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - E-GOLF 5-Door

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

77.8K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Finance Hub

01132631214 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.4 TSI S Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.4L
103.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Zone

01753968048 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Reduced

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
51.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,790

2L
23.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,796

Finance available £264 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Squire Cars Ltd

01495361540 *

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

Low Mileage

£19,490

Finance available £380 pm

2L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

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

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 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 (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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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.