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.

5,069 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.9 TDI PD Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,495

1.9L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grand Motors Stockport Ltd

01614139892 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,681

1.5L
16.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,100

Finance available £226 pm

2L
83.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - MK8 Facelift Life 1.5 TSI 150PS Estate 5 Dr

Reduced

£23,980

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

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

£9,495

1.6L
82.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wavertree Car Centre

01513189401 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£19,299

Finance available £401 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Derby

01332419211 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,099

2L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Superstore Derby

01252960119 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,700

Finance available £105 pm

1.6L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

OTR Motors

01612416878 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,659

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG Auto

£19,498

Finance available £422 pm

2L
49.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Cars2 Wakefield SEAT

01274087621 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,189

1.5L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

R&S Car Sales

07838231579 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£6,995

2L
114.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Torc Motors Ltd

01485500856 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£24,559

2L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 2.0

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Mintys Car Sales Ltd

01843269124 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 Golf GTi TSi Semi-Auto 2dr

Low Mileage

£7,795

Finance available £152 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

DH Specialist Cars Ltd ta Vogue Auto Group

01623703388 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,989

Finance available £223 pm

2L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
85.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.9/5 Stars

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

£18,999

1.5L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

HPL Motors Oldham

01612416881 *

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 (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.

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