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.

5,131 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2009 (58) - 2.0 S SDI 5dr [AC]

Reduced

£895

2L
166.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SK CAR COMPANY LTD

01384885534 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (62) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

£4,900

Finance available £87 pm

1.6L
122.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BuyBuyCar Ltd

01134689397 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£13,989

1.5L
86.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 Tsi Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 s/s 130 Ps

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tustain Motors Alnwick

01665660970 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI Match 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£21,990

1.5L
5.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£19,172

2L
40.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Ford Kings Lynn

01553603590 *

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

Reduced

£26,870

1.5L
1.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 5dr DSG

£3,995

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JLC Cars

01918237776 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,408

Finance available £488 pm

2L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,149

Finance available £255 pm

1.5L
68.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,990

1.5L
9.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bedford Car Centre

01234987603 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,748

Finance available £529 pm

2L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Autostore Carlisle)

01228276722 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£22,850

Finance available £449 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

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

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars and Commercials

02890022225 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

1.6L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FergusonMotorsNI.co.uk

02886273064 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

3.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£12,851

Finance available £265 pm

1L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 5-Door

£14,295

Finance available £297 pm

2L
121.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Opus Automotive Cars Ltd

01422411402 *

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 2016)

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 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