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.

5,228 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,700

Finance available £83 pm

1.4L
51.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,799

Finance available £280 pm

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 3-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
135.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

SEATON CAR SALES LIMITED

01429802613 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£7,799

Finance available £152 pm

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Family Driven Motors Ltd

01515419350 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£16,450

Finance available £345 pm

2L
79.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Chase Lane Motors

01702904126 *

Volkswagen Golf1997 (R) - 2.0 Avantgarde 2dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
135.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Mercia Cars

01630410587 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG

£18,956

1.5L
44.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,022

Finance available £411 pm

2L
48.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.0 TSI SE NAVIGATION 5-Door

£10,699

Finance available £217 pm

1L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Dorset Road

01424230370 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (13) - 1.2TSI AUTO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wintry Motor Point

01279967333 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,300

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
84.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf1988 (F) - 1.8 GTi 2dr

Reduced

£6,950

Finance available £133 pm

1.8L
161.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

M&M Automotive

01590631653 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr DSG Auto

£16,554

1.5L
64.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - R-LINE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
91.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Southwest Motor Company

01752982529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
20.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stephen Mawhinney

02893440736 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,599

Finance available £403 pm

2L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

2.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (63) - 1.2 TSI BLUEMOTION 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.2L
62.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Cardiff Motors

02921921384 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.0 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,399

Finance available £337 pm

1L
18.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

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 (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.

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