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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr + R PERFORMANCE PACK/PARK ASSIST Autom

Low Mileage

£36,499

2L
10.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

£5,450

Finance available £99 pm

1.4L
139.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CARS4YOU

01274089739 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£20,900

1L
18.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,790

1.6L
132.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Buckley Trade Centre

01352871794 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£16,729

1.5L
29.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Northampton

01604343506 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,190

Finance available £333 pm

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Variety Cars

01869221716 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£25,295

Finance available £499 pm

2L
20.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Andover Volkswagen

01264311662 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stringers of Petersfield

01730779314 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
73.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

EASICARS ENHANCED

02039577421 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
142.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 3dr

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

1.4L
133.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,890

1.4L
81.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,498

2L
22.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Huddersfield)

01484506234 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£25,098

2L
41.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,800

Finance available £264 pm

1L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

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 Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,450

Finance available £358 pm

2L
58.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

NW Kehoe & Sons

02830447169 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
11.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat Motorstore Jeep Abarth (Oldbury)

01215166056 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GTD Blueline 184PS DSG 5Dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£19,500

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£8,350

Finance available £164 pm

1.6L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wise Auto Ltd

02038737355 *

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 2016)

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 (2016 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 / 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

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.