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.

5,243 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.4L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lakeside Motors

01964211032 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr [Nav]

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
95.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Logan Hamill Car Sales

02879440624 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,300

1.5L
10.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£21,998

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Thurrock

01416118466 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,557

Finance available £236 pm

2L
91.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

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

Low Mileage

£12,480

Finance available £256 pm

1L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Stockton-on-Tees

01642937613 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG+TINTS+SPARE+WINTERPACK

Low Mileage

£19,991

1.5L
14.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£22,995

Finance available £452 pm

1.4L
17.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Vehicle Vault

01325522660 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 - 3.2 Golf R32 4WD 3dr

Low Mileage

£14,000

Finance available £290 pm

56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6

Reduced

£13,888

Finance available £288 pm

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Andrew James Cars Ltd

01474556864 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,399

Finance available £315 pm

1.5L
31.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

£19,299

Finance available £396 pm

1.4L
33.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£15,498

1.5L
55.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£21,695

Finance available £425 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tradecarsliverpool Ltd

01513050145 *

Volkswagen Golf2005 - 1.6 FSI S 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
138.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cuxton Road Car Sales

01634959364 *

1.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.6L
77.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Comiskey Motors

02830447308 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£28,840

1.5L
1.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,500

Finance available £168 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hounslow Cars Ltd

02039537374 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2006 (56) - R32

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

122.1K
Miles
Not Supplied
Manual
Not Supplied

Ainsdale Car Centre

01704337328 *

4.8/5 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

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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 (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 (2016 to 2020)

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
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

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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