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.

5,258 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GT (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,981

Finance available £89 pm

2L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5drONE OWNER FROM NEW

Low Mileage

£13,300

Finance available £275 pm

1.5L
32.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HAMPDEN PARK MOTORING CENTRE

01424231316 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 MATCH EDITION TDI BMT 3d 148 BHP 3-Door

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
74.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr DSG

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
123.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TS Autodeals LTD

01779400276 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,250

Finance available £95 pm

1.6L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

McNulty Motors Ltd

02887441320 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,500

Finance available £302 pm

2L
64.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

ADAM G CARS

01302986312 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,045

1.6L
36.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,799

1L
27.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,800

Finance available £511 pm

2L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£7,595

Finance available £147 pm

1.6L
33.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alex Marc Motors

01389311467 *

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

Reduced

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hot Hatches Ltd

01494311335 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,998

2L
29.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,299

Finance available £400 pm

2L
50.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - GT TDI DSG 5-Door

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

SA15 Car Sales

01554701194 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

1.6L
163.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eddie Mallon Motors

02837440447 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

1L
59.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£20,950

Finance available £410 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Countryside Commercials ltd

01405800967 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
106.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SMCARS (LTD)

02830447097 *

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 (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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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