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.

5,130 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - R 3-Door

Low Mileage

£11,999

2L
60.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Magenta Cars LTD

01670332682 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£16,950

Finance available £295 pm

1.5L
52.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr MANUAL

Reduced

£16,293

Finance available £280 pm

1.5L
43.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Warehouse Swansea

01792001637 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150PS) R-Line DSG

Low Mileage

£26,790

Finance available £530 pm

2L
2.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.4 Auto 5dr Hatch

£5,995

1.4L
44.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Small Car Company

02380017591 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

2L
61.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Beehive Cars

01204969299 *

4.1/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£16,294

Finance available £321 pm

2L
35.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (10) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 3dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

2L
89.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Stockport Car Supermarket

01612416384 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDi 140 SE 5dr

£1,695

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ANZ MOTORS LTD

01165093285 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,498

2L
7.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,500

1.4L
24.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£22,195

1.5L
8.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (13) - 1.4 TSI - Bluemotion - automatic - Ulez/caz pass - Free 24months warranty i

Low Mileage

£8,299

Finance available £163 pm

1.4L
25.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carolina Motors UK

01733666958 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£6,795

1.6L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

J&M Cars Antrim

02879440954 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,500

1.4L
43.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

London Car Market

02037637051 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,495

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DALE CARS LTD

01506376841 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

43.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
71.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Radius Vehicle Solutions

02890023225 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,450

Finance available £400 pm

2L
33.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (62) - 1.2 TSI S DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

IBRA CARS LTD

01163668353 *

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 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.