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.

5,299 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,750

Finance available £426 pm

2L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
37.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£15,450

Finance available £323 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

A1 Autos

02890023133 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Brothers Car Lot

01726219474 *

0/5 Stars

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 Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,498

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.0 TSI Match BlueMotion Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 bhp)

Low Mileage

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

1.2L
77.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Daci Autos Bristol LTD

01172331343 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
15.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£26,490

2L
13.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps

Low Mileage

£8,350

Finance available £164 pm

1.6L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wise Auto Ltd

02038737355 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,695

Finance available £425 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tradecarsliverpool Ltd

01513050145 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£8,980

Finance available £175 pm

37.0K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

1.5L
67.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Mazda Carlisle)

01228273596 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,494

Finance available £167 pm

1.4L
79.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£14,450

Finance available £301 pm

2L
57.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£13,799

Finance available £286 pm

1.4L
33.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match Edition 5dr

£12,998

1L
53.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Burton)

01283246286 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

£19,750

Finance available £385 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Whitethor Cars

01530443588 *

0/5 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 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.