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.

5,361 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 p

£9,000

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
81.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£30,713

Finance available £677 pm

2L
20.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

1.5L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£18,498

1.5L
24.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Swansea

01414839956 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) A

Reduced

£19,990

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£24,998

2L
24.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.2LGOLF TSI PETROL

Low Mileage

£7,600

Finance available £147 pm

1.2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
119.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Toto Motors Ltd

01616727281 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
98.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

One Stop Motors Dewsbury

01924665170 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (68) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£20,400

Finance available £399 pm

2L
63.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Seraph Cars

01923587567 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,979

Finance available £223 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

EVM Sports and Prestige

01613887697 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

2L
37.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TIME MOTORS LIMITED

01156849371 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £295 pm

1.5L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hadden Hill Cars

01235421961 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£17,399

Finance available £337 pm

2L
92.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

IBZ Motors

02039897125 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
105.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

2.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,299

1.5L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr Petrol Hatchback

£21,335

1.5L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Skipton

01535280951 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£25,995

Finance available £513 pm

2L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

North Loop Autohaus

01527911876 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,749

Finance available £341 pm

2L
30.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Store Bristol

01174400909 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,840

Finance available £220 pm

1L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Smart Wheel Motors

02039467705 *

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 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.

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