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.

5,116 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 150 Black Edition 5dr + TECHNOLOGY PACK MANUAL

Low Mileage

£28,498

1.5L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£8,890

Finance available £176 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Value Car Centre

01603512116 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£7,995

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Wheels In Motion Sherborne

01935311739 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (10) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,795

1.2L
84.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorline Car Sales

01162160117 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,690

1.5L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£6,949

1.6L
87.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Bob Car Sales

01482739309 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5-Door

£14,497

Finance available £289 pm

1.5L
55.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Stoke

01782432938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,495

2L
131.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Vzon Car Sales Ltd

01217286971 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (70) - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,799

Finance available £270 pm

1.5L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

UK Car Sales

01792001638 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,895

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
24.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Your Motor Company

01313702493 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

Reduced

£18,900

Finance available £368 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GS Car Centre Ltd

01772348161 *

4.9/5 Stars

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 Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,450

Finance available £400 pm

2L
33.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr

£13,999

1.5L
50.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Bridgend Motor Group - Kilmarnock Autoplex

01563590183 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£6,995

1.6L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Manorfield Cars Ltd

01493809988 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr MANUAL

Reduced

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

1.5L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Warehouse Bridgend

01656336621 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,250

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,990

Finance available £472 pm

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

£17,950

2L
50.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Honda Northampton

01604343516 *

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.