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.

5,242 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - R-Line Etsi Dsg 5-Door

£16,920

Finance available £356 pm

1.5L
62.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£17,260

Finance available £341 pm

1.4L
51.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bolton

01204323445 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps) Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,725

Finance available £405 pm

2L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£19,795

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£12,989

1.5L
76.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - GTD DSG 5-Door

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Oadby Van Centre LTD

01162165629 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
46.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 Golf SE Nav TSi BlueMotion Technology 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,200

Finance available £256 pm

1.4L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

LMC Cars

01708206105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£24,099

Finance available £485 pm

2L
22.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£26,461

1.5L
5.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£29,991

Finance available £596 pm

2L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Daniel Alexander Motor Group

01482296165 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr

£13,450

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Cars

02892448214 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door

£21,993

1.4L
28.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf1986 (X) - GTI Mk1 1.6 5spd 3-Door

Low Mileage

£31,995

1.6L
92.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

4 Star Classics

01420551490 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,500

1.4L
54.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Match Chester

01244207613 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 1.6 FSI SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual (163 g/km, 113 bhp)

Reduced

£1,795

1.6L
83.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CHORLTON CAR SALES LTD

01614705611 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,741

1.5L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£20,999

Finance available £433 pm

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG + WARMENAU ALLOYS + EXTERIOR STYLE PACK +

£40,990

2L
3.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

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 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 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.