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.

5,316 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2012 (61) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 5 5dr

£3,200

Finance available £49 pm

1.6L
147.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Wilson Wheels

01708973692 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£2,150

1.6L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BUDGET CARS (NW) LTD

01614139818 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Reduced

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
47.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Mazda Southport)

01704331313 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£22,995

1.5L
2.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Norman Motors Poole

01202076853 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,495

Finance available £400 pm

2L
59.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Tamebridge Cars Ltd

01642049641 *

0/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£24,495

Finance available £483 pm

2L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hot Hatches Ltd

01494311335 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£26,249

Finance available £576 pm

2L
19.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,499

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Find-My-Car.co.uk

01174404908 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£15,199

Finance available £311 pm

1.5L
43.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Widnes

01518322225 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbon Motors Ltd

01216615534 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 1.4 TSI 160 GT 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,980

Finance available £67 pm

1.4L
104.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Traders

02037639054 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

£14,500

Finance available £302 pm

2L
68.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Euro UK Motors LTD

01582280667 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

Low Mileage

£32,700

Finance available £571 pm

2L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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

£8,295

Finance available £163 pm

1.5L
105.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Reduced

£35,995

2L
5.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,850

Finance available £354 pm

1.5L
25.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Barnet

02039577301 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - R-LINE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,450

Finance available £301 pm

2L
57.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wynford Williams Car Sales

01970600150 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£13,899

Finance available £279 pm

2L
68.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,391

Finance available £53 pm

1.4L
114.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,500

Finance available £279 pm

1L
26.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Browns Car Company

01621733495 *

4.7/5 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 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 3dr 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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