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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr Full service record, Gorgeous car

Low Mileage

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RobertsCarscouk

01352871761 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) (300 p

£12,282

Finance available £252 pm

2L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cars To Go Ltd

01202051975 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Elite Autos NI

02890023616 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI TCR DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£31,499

Finance available £627 pm

2L
42.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Magor Motor Company

01633741705 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£20,250

Finance available £439 pm

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Luton

01582211307 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,750

Finance available £365 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ka Car Sales

01913002344 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Automatic

Low Mileage

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

2L
34.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Days Cardiff

02920021261 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Clubsport 40 Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ar33ve Specialist Cars

01553605578 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr [Nav]

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

J Hair Motors

02890023607 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.2 TSI 105 S 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,700

Finance available £127 pm

1.2L
58.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cleland Car Sales

01698539229 *

Volkswagen Golf(63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Legion Car Sales

01322949538 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,900

Finance available £429 pm

1.5L
20.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech GT 5dr [Leather]

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars and Commercials

02890022225 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,999

1.5L
39.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,498

1.5L
20.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Southampton

01414839954 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£28,990

Finance available £575 pm

2L
20.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars to Go

01202099943 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Hatch Match 1.5 TSI 150ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door Manual

£22,000

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£30,995

Finance available £616 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

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

Reduced

£11,545

Finance available £236 pm

1L
80.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Taylors Of Skegness

01754808552 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£21,498

1.5L
8.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

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 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.