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.

5,311 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

£10,650

Finance available £216 pm

1.6L
88.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£21,412

1.5L
17.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Ford Birmingham

01217288833 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 1.9 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Final Edition 5-Door

£2,995

1.9L
160.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Trade Sales Bodmin

01208221184 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

£13,998

1.5L
47.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Sydenham

01414839958 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

£5,595

Finance available £103 pm

2L
117.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GMC 2000

01134680586 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
49.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150ps) Style DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£20,450

2L
19.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG

£18,956

1.5L
44.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Performance Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Market Yorkshire

01924668146 *

2.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£18,940

Finance available £409 pm

1.5L
27.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
66.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Swale Auto Sales II LTD

01748906162 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,350

Finance available £276 pm

1.5L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

£18,599

Finance available £385 pm

1.5L
23.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,990

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
98.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MOTORSTOP WEST MIDLANDS LTD

01384885524 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£15,963

Finance available £334 pm

1.5L
22.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Coventry

02476936631 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£19,970

1.4L
28.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£19,599

Finance available £407 pm

1.4L
21.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£20,900

Finance available £409 pm

2L
67.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Autohaven Motors Ltd

01494311306 *

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

Low Mileage

£22,395

1.5L
23.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Skipton

01535280951 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,450

Finance available £323 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JB Autos Sales

02870440586 *

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 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