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.

5,065 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - MATCH TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,499

Finance available £101 pm

1.4L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.2/5 Stars

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 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£23,000

Finance available £393 pm

2L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

Reduced

£12,249

1.4L
40.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

2.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (30

£14,976

2L
77.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (66) - 1.2 TSi DSG Automatic 79,900 Miles. CAMERA. 5dr hatchback ULEZ Free. PX OK

£8,595

Finance available £170 pm

1.2L
79.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

mhas

02038056893 *

Volkswagen Golf2002 (52) - 2.0 GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual (194 g/km, 115 bhp)

Low Mileage

£3,500

Finance available £56 pm

2L
125.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Premier Motor Collection

01143089153 *

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 Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Style Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,966

1.5L
9.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,470

2L
82.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,330

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
26.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (61) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
33.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,990

1.5L
250.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

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 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,998

2L
23.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Doncaster)

01302986692 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr Man, diesel, black + zero road tax

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
54.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JTC Motors LTD

01752423585 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr Manual

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
49.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (Z5) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£22,790

2L
48.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (56)

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

3.2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

JD Motors

01922666588 *

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 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.

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