Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

With us since 1974, the venerable hatchback offers a premium bit of posh at relatively affordable prices, has practicality to spare thanks to its hatchback and estate bodystyles, and can be had with everything from plug-in hybrid and pure electric drivetrains to the thrilling GTI and R hot hatches.

Like a Porsche 911 of hatchbacks, today’s Golf is still recognisably related to the iconic Mk1 that started the ball rolling, but its advanced in-car technology, including a trick digital cockpit and handy driver-assistance systems keep it at the cutting-edge. No wonder the Golf was Europe’s biggest-selling car in 2020 and remains a regular in Britain’s top ten.

Motorpoint has a vast choice of facelifted Mk7 and new Mk8 Golf models to choose from, so why not read on to learn more, then search for your dream used example?

Or try these: Ford Focus, BMW 1-series, Audi A3

Engines

The facelifted Golf Mk7 (often informally called the Mk7.5) offers a range of petrol and diesel engines with manual or dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. Regular petrol engines stretch from a tiny (if surprisingly zesty) 1.0-litre three cylinder through to 1.6 litres, though it’s actually the newdf 1.5 TSI Evo engine that’s the most powerful option for these bread-and-butter models – it’s why the 1.6 was discontinued in newer Mk8 models. Diesels are offered in either 1.6 or 2.0-litre sizes, if in various states of tune.

High-performance GTI and R models all use a punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine,  though the R plays an all-wheel-drive ace card to put all its power down. Or you could opt for a pure electric e-Golf for the Mk7 models (not available for the Mk8 simply because VW brought out its all-electric ID3).

If you want hot-hatch looks with massively improved fuel economy, why not try a GTE or GTD? The GTE is a plug-in hybrid that looks like a GTI, can run on electricity alone but also has a petrol engine for longer trips. The GTD is a diesel in GTI clothing, and isn’t much slower.

Bodystyles

Mk7 Golfs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles. Three- and five-door hatchbacks are naturally the core, but don’t forget the handy estate, and the oh-so-versatile SV – a Golf that’s shape-shifted into a people carrier. The Alltrack also jumps on the crossover bandwagon, with all-wheel drive, raised ground clearance and chunky body cladding.

Volkswagen simplified the line-up with the Mk8, offering us the most popular choices: the five-door hatchback and estate.

Trim Levels

There’s a huge choice of Golf Mk7 trim levels, from entry-level S through to SE, SE Navigation and the sportier look of GT and R-Line models. While many of these trims can be mixed and matched with various engines, the GTI, GTD, GTE and R models are all effectively trim levels in their own right and come with enhanced equipment as standard.

While the Mk8 stuck with R-Line for hot-hatch looks, retained its legendary GTI, GTD, GTE and R nameplates for actual hot hatches, the more affordable trims are simplified to Life, Active and Style.

Technology

Volkswagen went all-out to make the interior of the Golf a techno tour-de-force from the Mk7.5, a theme that continues with the latest Mk8. The equipment isn’t fitted to every variant, but desirable kit includes Active Info Display (renamed Digital Cockpit on Mk8 models), a digital instrument panel that you can tweak to your tastes, even altering the size of the speedo and displaying a sat-nav map too.  A central touchscreen controls the infotainment, with slick, easy-to-understand functionality.

Naturally Bluetooth, USB charge ports, DAB radio and hands-free telephony are standard, and even optional wireless charging is offered. Driver-assistance systems include Traffic-Jam Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control and Predictive Pedestrian Control to take the stress out of driving.

Browse our stock of nearly new VW Golf's to find your perfect model online. All cars are under four years old with less than 30,000 miles, and many come with some remaining manufacturer's warranty.