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.

5,369 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 TSI Life 5-Door

Low Mileage

£15,097

Finance available £302 pm

1L
27.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Grimsby

01472806810 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AQS CAR SPECIALISTS

01733306260 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 5 DOOR HATCHBACK

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.4L
65.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

A7 Cars Ltd

01164787049 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£16,545

1.5L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motortrust UK Garstang

01942365158 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£7,695

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

POMPEY CAR SALES LIMITED

02392003012 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI R 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,834

2L
59.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars2 Barnsley SEAT

01226449229 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

Reduced

£23,495

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£27,299

Finance available £576 pm

2L
4.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Maidstone

01622291202 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

2L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG

£12,195

Finance available £250 pm

2L
77.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Harvey One Motors

01793268069 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
80.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Bhakar Watts Cars

02921675239 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TTG MOTORS SALES LTD

01235636442 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£30,211

Finance available £574 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav 5-Door

£10,750

Finance available £218 pm

1.4L
74.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Abberton Car Sales

01206879441 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,499

2L
47.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

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

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
145.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Geneva Motors Harlow

01279212108 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,195

Finance available £376 pm

1L
14.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

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

Reduced

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,650

Finance available £126 pm

1.6L
79.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTO ONE XPRESS LTD

02037633726 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 85kW e-Golf 5dr Auto

Reduced

£8,399

Finance available £165 pm

37.4K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 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 (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