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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,195

Finance available £138 pm

1.4L
87.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Atherstone Garage

01827215683 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 R DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
51.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Reo Car Sales

01291441528 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,431

Finance available £489 pm

2L
36.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TDI R-Line 150PS 5D MANUAL 5-Door

£16,735

2L
41.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Newport)

01633747928 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI 110 BlueMotion 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,800

Finance available £130 pm

1.6L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Oldbury Car Sales

01216474046 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Diesel Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,750

2L
3.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£1,995

1.4L
135.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

INFINITE VEHICLE SALES LTD

01773302789 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (09) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£11,620

Finance available £232 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2001 (Y) - 1.9 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,689

1.9L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Capital Cars UK Limited

01143996757 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£18,990

1.5L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 p

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,795

Finance available £85 pm

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

1.6L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

PEMBROKESHIRE CAR & VAN SALES LTD

01994220015 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - TSI Highline 5-Door

Reduced

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1.4L
31.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Magnum Motor Co

01252968428 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£17,599

Finance available £371 pm

2L
54.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - TSI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£7,997

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
75.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Squire Cars Ltd

01495361540 *

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

Low Mileage

£21,065

Finance available £457 pm

2L
33.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI 110 SE 5dr

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
113.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

EAZY CARS HASLINGDEN LTD

01706391404 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6L MATCH TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 103 BHP 5-Door

Reduced

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
94.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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.