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.

5,181 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 (10) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
41.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Quality Used Cars

02038928017 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0T GTI 5dr Full Service History, Recent Cambelt

£3,495

2L
180.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Woodland Autos

01635015938 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

1.6L
81.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SELECT CARS & COMMERCIALS

01582280231 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,990

1.5L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Reduced

£43,990

2L
3.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,500

Finance available £317 pm

2L
36.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,091

Finance available £270 pm

1.6L
36.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vans Northwest Ltd

01942597950 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,749

Finance available £307 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Arrow Motor Company

01325520199 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,890

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£6,980

1.6L
45.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

HM Car Sales

01884212123 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

1.4L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AMS Cars

01992367189 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (LB) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Cabriolet 2dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.6L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Ceir Phil Williams Ltd

01554701078 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£20,998

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Active 5dr DSG

£16,950

Finance available £290 pm

2L
79.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

IJ Motors & Commercials

02890023175 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£4,590

2L
91.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sway Road Car Sales

01792940350 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Causeway Cars

02890023065 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Reduced

£16,300

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
20.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£13,199

Finance available £273 pm

1.5L
66.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - Match Edition 1.4 TSI 125 PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£10,117

1.4L
69.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 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 (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 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.