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.

5,304 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 2.0

Low Mileage

£2,995

2L
54.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Mintys Car Sales Ltd

01843269124 *

Volkswagen Golf2003 (03) - 1.9 S TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.9L
154.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S&K Motors

01205335102 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 8 R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 320PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Reduced

£27,000

2L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,350

Finance available £398 pm

2L
34.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

drivedirect Leicester

01164646061 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£15,700

1.5L
73.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (11)

£5,795

Finance available £107 pm

1.4L
35.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (204 ps)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
90.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars 4 You Ltd

01506376842 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (68) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,250

Finance available £334 pm

2L
37.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TIME MOTORS LIMITED

01156849371 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£24,290

1.5L
17.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Reduced

£17,490

Finance available £339 pm

2L
37.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stradey Motor Company

01554701937 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£24,450

Finance available £482 pm

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TSI R 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,988

Finance available £290 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BJH Motors & Sons (Rainbow Hill)

01905676573 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr DSG

Reduced

£19,998

2L
11.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark MG (Bishopbriggs)

01414736414 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TDI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£15,795

Finance available £331 pm

2L
44.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jackson Car Sales

01362700945 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr + VOLKSWAGEN WARRANTY MANUAL

£21,999

1.5L
13.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£10,789

Finance available £219 pm

1.6L
81.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Stirling Cars Ltd

01992661749 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
112.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Garage at Shurlock Row

01182274533 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 2-Door

£2,995

1.6L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

NATIONAL VEHICLE SUPPLIERS LTD

01182270649 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - GTI MK8 Facelift 2024 2.0 TSI (265ps) DSG Automatic 5-Door

£40,498

2L
3.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

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