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.

5,290 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2006 - 3.2 V6 R32 Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion (233 g/km, 247 bhp)

Low Mileage

£13,000

Finance available £268 pm

3.2L
88.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

£6,400

Finance available £121 pm

1.4L
102.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bargain Cars and Vans

01213872408 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£21,698

2L
63.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Renault / Dacia (Preston)

01772376280 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,498

2L
49.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Reduced

£14,575

Finance available £303 pm

2L
74.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Donnelly Bros Citroen (Dungannon)

02887440646 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
92.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BSS CAR SALES LTD

01362700947 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,490

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

D G Autos

01404519009 *

4.5/5 Stars

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

£5,295

Finance available £96 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£30,956

2L
24.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£9,386

2L
101.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,900

Finance available £199 pm

2L
61.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Finance Carshop Limited Leicester

01164646052 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,498

1.5L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

£19,991

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£34,995

2L
8.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£20,998

2L
18.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (East Kilbride)

01355203634 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.4 TSI GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
57.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Harvey One Motors

01793268069 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£20,889

1.5L
32.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,700

Finance available £284 pm

1.5L
46.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,699

Finance available £373 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£61,950

Finance available £1,252 pm

1.6L
77.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

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 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 (2016 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 / 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

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.

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