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.

5,292 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.9 TDI PD Sport Estate 5dr Diesel Manual (149 g/km, 130 bhp)

Low Mileage

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

1.9L
72.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Swift Cars south Wales Ltd

01495369894 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£16,257

1.5L
37.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - R-Line Tsi 5-Door

£18,905

1.5L
45.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hutchings Vauxhall Pontypridd

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,215

Finance available £484 pm

2L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr [Performance Pack]

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Coopers Cars (South West) Limited

01278555831 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 5dr

£9,240

Finance available £184 pm

1.4L
79.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sparta Cars Ltd

01353881688 *

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

£6,200

Finance available £116 pm

2L
110.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

SMS Motors

01144786434 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,000

Finance available £479 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - 1.6 FSI SE 5dr

£995

1.6L
150.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Exclusive Motor Company Ltd

01279215062 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,450

Finance available £379 pm

2L
19.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

HILLVIEW MOTORS Ltd

02890023629 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£12,375

1.5L
63.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen St Albans

01727224916 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£24,399

Finance available £512 pm

2L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£17,495

Finance available £339 pm

1.5L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Central Service Garage

01302246765 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 (55) - 2.0T GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AMICAS GROUP LTD

01274028401 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Style EVO Manual

£22,350

1.5L
22.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s

£12,700

Finance available £261 pm

2L
72.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

£18,599

1.5L
34.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Barnstaple

01271443056 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
82.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

MH Prestige Limited

01274087579 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£15,473

1.5L
29.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Peugeot Launceston

01566701767 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI SE Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,650

Finance available £59 pm

1.4L
101.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Essex Select Cars Ltd

01206583604 *

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