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.

5,158 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,299

Finance available £331 pm

1.5L
30.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£17,999

Finance available £349 pm

2L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,990

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£30,150

2L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£5,995

1.6L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GF Cars

02890023191 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.9 BlueMotion TDI Estate 5-Door

£1,195

1.9L
171.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

AR Cars

01254947703 *

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 Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,399

1.5L
9.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Stockport

01615298284 *

Volkswagen Golf1996 (N) - 2.0 GTI Colour Concept 5dr

Reduced

£10,950

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pinnacle Cars Ltd

01143086613 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - GT TDI DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.6L
23.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Bassetts Citroen Swansea

01792966776 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,680

Finance available £426 pm

1.5L
1.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,490

Finance available £467 pm

2L
24.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars2 Bradford Hyundai

01274087619 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£32,990

Finance available £657 pm

2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Moyway Motors

02887441322 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 3.2 V6 R32 DSG 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

3.2L
71.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Woodcroft Motors

01642030069 *

0/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£10,795

2L
48.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

W R Car Sales Limited

01274087616 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI GTI 2dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Isaac Motors

01792952517 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,990

Finance available £472 pm

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (3D) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,995

1.5L
54.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,264

1.5L
20.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (122 ps)

Reduced

£3,990

1.4L
88.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Highfield Cars

01562541206 *

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 (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.