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.

5,241 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CRL Motors Ltd

02890026902 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr FOR SALE WITH 12 MONTHS MOT

£5,495

1.6L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swale Auto Sales I LTD

01748900780 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,800

Finance available £236 pm

1.5L
93.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

£6,000

2L
160.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Toto Motors Ltd

01616727281 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI S 5dr

£9,250

Finance available £184 pm

1L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,930

2L
94.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BINCA

01908953487 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

£29,862

2L
4.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£20,495

1.5L
18.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI Style Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,995

2L
93.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,999

1.5L
88.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,299

Finance available £440 pm

1.5L
12.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 2.0 TDI GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,994

2L
105.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

LANCASHIRE CAR SALES LTD

01282500789 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.2 TSi BLUEMOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

1.2L
61.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£14,109

2L
59.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,998

66.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Linwood Hyundai / Mazda / GWM / Used Car Centre

01414060040 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

£6,575

1.4L
99.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Hunt

02476936615 *

2.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TSI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

Reduced

£8,295

Finance available £174 pm

1.4L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Station Ltd

01992367374 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,087

1.5L
25.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
107.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Chase Lane Motors

01702904126 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£14,495

Finance available £302 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

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 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.