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.

5,104 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.9 TDI Sport 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

1.9L
49.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

LUXOR MOTOR COMPANY

01202052316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£18,058

Finance available £358 pm

1.4L
46.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Bradford

01274087627 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,999

Finance available £290 pm

2L
81.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI R 20 Years Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (333 ps)

Reduced

£44,450

Finance available £893 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - e-Golf 5-Door

Reduced

£10,595

Finance available £168 pm

32.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Premier Car Supermarket Kettering Ltd

01536219120 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

Reduced

£3,995

1.4L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AUTOTRADE LICHFIELD

01785569197 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,100

Finance available £265 pm

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

£3,500

1.6L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bhakar-Wood Cars LTD

01952953931 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,481

Finance available £122 pm

1.2L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI 150 GT 5dr

Reduced

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
43.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ben Wild Motors

01244569204 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,400

Finance available £188 pm

39.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Hammond Cars Ipswich

01473927579 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

£21,335

Finance available £427 pm

1.4L
24.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Shrewsbury

01743292169 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0TDI (150ps) R-Line DSG Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£25,199

Finance available £497 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - R-Line 1.5 TSI ( 130 bhp ) 5-Door

Reduced

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

1.5L
33.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elgin Autos

01343610498 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£22,000

Finance available £466 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Match Chester

01244207613 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,799

Finance available £219 pm

1.6L
80.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RCS Car Sales

01905953512 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI 272 GTE eHybrid 5dr DSG

£33,991

1.5L
6.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.4 TSI S 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,999

1.4L
58.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG + WINTER PACK + AREA VIEW 5-Door

£29,990

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - Golf Match Tdi Dsg 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,495

1.6L
107.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Atlantic Motorzone Ltd

01782986888 *

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 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.