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.

5,214 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,629

Finance available £307 pm

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Mountsorrel

01162165589 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,245

Finance available £162 pm

1.6L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sean O'Hara Cars

02890026918 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenhill Autos

01386573316 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
39.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Prestige Motors NI

02890026900 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
99.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BM Cars London Ltd

02039537388 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Automatic

£18,060

1.5L
47.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TrustFord Edgware

02038934224 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£23,750

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

PMA CARS

02890026896 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 eTSI MHEV Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

£14,990

1L
53.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 2.0 GTi 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,750

2L
96.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Torc Motors Ltd

01485500856 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - GTI PERFORMANCE [7X SERVICES & SAT NAV] 5-Door

Reduced

£8,785

2L
102.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Brooklands Motor Centres

01135321282 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line DSG 5-Door

£21,897

Finance available £448 pm

1.5L
25.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.4 TSI Match 3dr

Reduced

£7,950

Finance available £155 pm

1.4L
106.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sharon Woodside Motors

02890026919 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual 115 bhp

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

1.6L
31.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carjoy UK Limited

01224019779 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 2.0 TSI R Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£17,900

Finance available £385 pm

2L
58.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J.D AUTOS NI Ltd

02890023680 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,745

Finance available £240 pm

1L
80.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Taylors Of Skegness

01754808552 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£23,950

Finance available £471 pm

2L
54.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
106.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Spick Cars

01202068600 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Style EVO Manual

£15,987

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

£11,490

Finance available £234 pm

1.5L
75.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Red Lion Car Sales

01518322185 *

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

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 Present)

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.

Used Volkswagen Golf snapshot review

Pros

Cons

Engines and transmissions

Practicality

Safety

Technology

Shop by Trim

Shop by Body Style

Shop by Engine Size

Shop by Fuel Type

Shop by Transmission

Shop by Colour

Shop by Registration Year