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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£11,395

Finance available £232 pm

1.6L
59.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Armagh Auto Sales

02837442284 *

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

£12,695

Finance available £261 pm

2L
78.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

RDB Car Sales

01592808079 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,750

Finance available £240 pm

1.6L
60.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Blackline Motors Ltd

01618042356 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

£35,700

Finance available £713 pm

2L
517.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
99.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Cars and Commercials Ltd

01227203373 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - GT TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5-Door

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

2L
133.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

RGS CARS LIMITED

01403331258 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 3.2 V6 R32 4MOTION 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

3.2L
73.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Prestige Motors NI

02890026900 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,249

Finance available £162 pm

1.6L
115.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£14,699

Finance available £300 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - Style 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204ps 6-Speed DSG 5 Door | Parking sensors |

£26,490

Finance available £501 pm

1.5L
7.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£15,990

Finance available £335 pm

2L
23.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lennox Auto Limited

02039484608 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golfe-Golf

Low Mileage

£10,795

Finance available £219 pm

32.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Car Supermarket Kettering Ltd

01536219120 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (06) - GTI 2.0 TFSI HATCHBACK PETROL MANUAL 3 DOOR 198PS RARE 3 DOOR-40K MILES

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Smiley Car & Commercial Ltd

01206580387 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,000

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
80.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£14,097

Finance available £281 pm

1L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

DC Motor Company Ltd

07436536342 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£25,995

Finance available £513 pm

2L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Cars Telford Limited

01743291623 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (Z2) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,999

Finance available £370 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Prestige Motoring Group

01215160648 *

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 Present)

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.

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