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.

5,248 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,490

Finance available £359 pm

1.5L
23.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mervyn Stewart Used Select

02895908140 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,395

1.4L
30.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

GL Automotive

02037808974 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh Style DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,480

Finance available £359 pm

1.4L
35.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£8,388

Finance available £165 pm

86.5K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

LS Autos

01306774216 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Life DSG 5-Door

£17,197

Finance available £347 pm

1.5L
33.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Scunthorpe

01724514202 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,950

Finance available £222 pm

1.6L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Gallagher Cars LTD

02871226307 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI GTD (Leather) Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (170 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,995

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Alpha Cars

01748900791 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (53) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 p

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
83.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hudson Autos

01621734609 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
37.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Portsmouth

02382146197 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£23,990

Finance available £472 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Reduced

£23,950

Finance available £471 pm

2L
62.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£26,999

Finance available £569 pm

2L
31.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

365 MOTORS LTD

01204968071 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - Alltrack Tsi 4Motion Dsg

Low Mileage

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

1.8L
13.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Ej's Cars Limited

01782432157 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

Low Mileage

£7,300

2L
90.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£22,995

Finance available £379 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG 13 SERVICES SATNAV ULEZ COMPLIANT

Low Mileage

£7,995

2L
108.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

CJ AUTOS BRISTOL

01174404907 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Alltrack 4motion TDI Dsg 200 5DR Estate Diesel

£26,989

Finance available £534 pm

2L
38.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Direct Cars Limited

01145510336 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2000 - GOLF GTI 1.8 AUTOMATIC 5 DOOR * ONLY 34000 MILES * TOP GRADE 4 *

£7,495

1.8L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 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 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.