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.

5,270 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

1.6L
71.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Moy Auto Services

02887448024 *

Volkswagen Golf(63) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Edition DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

26.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

JMS USED CARS LTD

01784779331 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,800

Finance available £269 pm

1.6L
33.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£16,799

Finance available £346 pm

1.4L
36.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1.4L
29.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fife Mitsubishi Cupar

01592407354 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£14,550

Finance available £303 pm

2L
81.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Landmark Motors LTD

01375803848 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (62) - Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.2L
46.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Kobe Trading UK Limited

01162165671 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,495

Finance available £383 pm

1.4L
35.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,434

Finance available £580 pm

2L
21.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Active 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,962

1.5L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mercedes-Benz of Huddersfield

01484240749 *

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

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
91.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Southwest Motor Company

01752982529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£12,895

Finance available £266 pm

1.5L
72.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorswitch Ltd

01942364531 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
100.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gardner and Wake

01207262647 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 SE NAVIGATION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 114 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,990

1.6L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Formula 1 Car Supermarket

01324464853 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,497

Finance available £168 pm

1.6L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Affordable Cars

01234230806 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Low Mileage

£18,891

1.5L
16.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,000

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
52.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 Twist Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£3,695

Finance available £60 pm

1.4L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Imaan Motors Ltd

01895540690 *

Volkswagen Golf1979 - MK I

Low Mileage

£25,000

Finance available £493 pm

1.6L
91.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Classic Car Auctions

01926357467 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5-Door

£13,897

Finance available £277 pm

1.5L
68.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 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 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 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.