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.

5,296 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr Manual

£17,485

1.5L
25.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Reduced

£30,990

Finance available £616 pm

2L
6.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
53.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
50.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Run About Autos LTD

01756636620 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

£17,000

2L
64.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hearsall Common Car Sales

02475105300 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 8 GTI 2.0 TSI 245PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£26,499

2L
12.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
80.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Active 5dr

£17,500

1.5L
33.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.6 TDI GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ace Car Sales Bury

01618042294 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT Cabriolet Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf1991 - Gti 16V 3-Door

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

1.8L
147.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

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

£9,750

Finance available £196 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), BlueMotion Tech, SE Edition, Nav, Hatchback, 5 Door, Manu

£8,999

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 3-Door

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
78.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Castle Cars

01736806432 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,991

Finance available £554 pm

2L
14.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Cardiff Trade Sales Ltd

02922679489 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,998

2L
56.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Perth

01738230553 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,298

1.5L
12.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.5L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bells Crossgar

02844330480 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
129.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Archvale Car Sales

02890022125 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,190

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

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 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.