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.

5,203 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.0 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,500

Finance available £268 pm

1L
16.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

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

£27,999

Finance available £591 pm

2L
5.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

£18,556

1.5L
38.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack]

Reduced

£14,895

Finance available £310 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Lakeside Autos

02890023124 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

£21,495

Finance available £421 pm

1.5L
27.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (11

Low Mileage

£11,327

Finance available £235 pm

1L
49.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£22,624

Finance available £493 pm

2L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,795

Finance available £286 pm

2L
84.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI 310 R 3dr 4MOTION

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£13,390

1L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Car Supermarket

01616945306 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 (74) - Life 1.5 TSI 115ps 6-Speed Manual 5 Door

£23,990

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,999

Finance available £290 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TSI BlueMotion Tech R 3-Door

Low Mileage

£16,990

Finance available £357 pm

2L
64.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BenzBavarianLtd

01332414520 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£30,595

Finance available £608 pm

2L
42.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Prestige Cars Ireland

02890026873 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Reduced

£29,493

2L
38.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£17,749

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
73.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelers Chipping Norton

01608692663 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,450

Finance available £367 pm

1.5L
12.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£25,249

Finance available £531 pm

2L
21.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Oldbury

01217525220 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - GT 2.0 TDI BMT 140PS 6-speed DSG Automatic 2-Door

Low Mileage

£13,717

2L
23.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Convertible

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

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

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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 2020)

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

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