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.

5,283 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TSi 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.4L
66.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Roger Hotchkiss Car Sales

01939550232 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,298

1.5L
34.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Kia (Linwood)

01414043794 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,850

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Invicta Northampton

01604343482 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£20,399

Finance available £420 pm

2L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 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 Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - CLIMATE

Low Mileage

£18,317

Finance available £364 pm

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 1.6 FSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Karhouse

01494291900 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,991

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
85.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cardiff Trade Sales Ltd

02922679489 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£23,000

Finance available £416 pm

1.5L
17.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,490

1.5L
26.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cuckfield Motor Company

01444221468 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,595

Finance available £403 pm

2L
58.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Klassified Ltd

01788227381 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps) - HEATED S

£32,018

2L
19.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 Tsi Bluemotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5-Door

Reduced

£9,475

Finance available £189 pm

1.4L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

GMC MOTORS B'HAM LIMITED

01217285878 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£791

1.6L
115.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Reduced

£42,990

2L
250.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,850

1.6L
111.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

East Kent Car Sales

01795502170 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 85kW e-Golf 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

36.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Cheltenham Spa Motors Ltd

01452227274 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (06) - 1.9 TDI GOAL EDITION 5DR LEFT HAND DRIVE LHD UK REGISTERED

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.9L
108.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Car Showroom Ltd

01895548158 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

£21,995

1.5L
28.1K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,781

1.5L
2.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

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.