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.

5,116 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - GTI Performance 2.0 TSI 245PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£20,895

2L
41.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

£17,116

1.5L
41.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI Clubsport 2.0TSI 300PS 7-speed DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£27,795

2L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI SE Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£8,400

Finance available £165 pm

1.6L
72.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,990

Finance available £554 pm

2L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CHESHIRE MOTOR WORKS

01244562666 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,095

1.5L
39.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - VW GOLF GTI GTD 2.0 DIESEL MANUAL 5 DOOR

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Not Supplied

MJD LTD T/A Carbrooke Cars

01953661455 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
47.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Fusco Vehicle Sales

02891249214 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,490

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT DSG Euro 5 5dr

£1,495

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

M & A Automotive Ltd

01506376848 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI Style Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£24,000

Finance available £514 pm

2L
12.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Norwich

01603337183 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 1.6 TDI Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,699

1.6L
79.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£18,971

1.5L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£17,998

1.5L
40.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Reduced

£11,200

Finance available £228 pm

1.6L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£15,086

1.5L
73.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
10.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stafford Motorstore / Vanstore / Electric Innovation Centre

01785550896 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arrow Motor Company

01325521616 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,500

1.6L
135.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Fame Cars Limited

01216474010 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
86.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ANDOVER CAR SALES LIMITED

01722445409 *

5/5 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 (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 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.