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.

5,069 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - GTE MK8 Facelift 1.5 TSI (272ps) DSG + EXTERIOR STYLING PACKAGE + MATRIX LI 5-Door

Reduced

£33,950

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - MK7 Facelift 1.4 TSI SE Nav 125PS 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£13,150

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Joseph David Simm Ltd

01670339826 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£31,650

Finance available £630 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Grange Road Motors

02886273066 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,745

Finance available £128 pm

1.6L
86.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MK Autos

01612416609 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG Auto

£19,050

2L
24.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Taunton

01823211157 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£29,698

1.5L
525.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Ayr)

01292431680 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

2L
95.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

K Barclay Trade Cars

01633742301 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SELECT CARS & COMMERCIALS

01582280231 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - S TDI 5-Door

£8,295

Finance available £163 pm

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Regal Motors

02394319624 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

£8,449

Finance available £166 pm

1.4L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

M Cars Surrey Ltd

01342649540 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£33,057

2L
10.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,998

1.5L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Aberdeen Hyundai / OMODA / JAECOO

01224907796 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,391

1.5L
12.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,800

Finance available £391 pm

1.5L
17.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf1990 (H) - 1.3 5dr

£9,000

Finance available £179 pm

1.3L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sandygate Cars Ltd

01282509458 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf(61) - 1.4 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 ulez compliance 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Jap Car Finder

01274028194 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,071

Finance available £572 pm

2L
30.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,494

Finance available £190 pm

1.5L
95.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,395

Finance available £210 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Poolstock Car Sales Limited

01942597424 *

4/5 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

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 (2016 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 / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1 - 2
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 5dr 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.

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