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 Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TSI GTI (Leather) Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,789

2L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£8,880

1.2L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037808158 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£9,945

Finance available £200 pm

1.6L
73.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sean O'Hara Cars

02890026918 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£6,495

1.6L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Kernow Kars Ltd

01326330754 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - e-Golf 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

48.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Quay

01283244020 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,000

Finance available £310 pm

1.4L
44.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr

Reduced

£2,195

1.4L
128.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AR Cars

01254947703 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£31,290

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,127

Finance available £322 pm

1.5L
65.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£26,995

Finance available £534 pm

1.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Not Supplied

Motors Deals Ltd

01612416399 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 5 5dr

£3,295

2L
149.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,599

1.6L
51.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Reduced

£35,250

Finance available £704 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

torquepoint

01908765737 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£23,011

Finance available £462 pm

2L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE [Nav] DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,697

Finance available £272 pm

1L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£18,849

Finance available £387 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01733309722 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - GT EVO TSI EVO [150] 5 Dr DSG Auto [7]

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.5L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Pevensey Bay Car Centre

01323402241 *

3.8/5 Stars

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 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.