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.

5,312 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door

£23,290

1.5L
15.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion 5dr ZERO ROAD TAX

Low Mileage

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
79.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carter and Haines

01244562742 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI GTI 3dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Volkservice

01253209357 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - R-Line Tsi 5-Door

£20,076

1.5L
32.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hutchings Vauxhall Pontypridd

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

Low Mileage

£33,898

2L
15.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Bristol

01416118398 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,580

1.5L
19.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

2L
104.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

C M Car Sales

01773303785 *

4.2/5 Stars

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

£17,399

Finance available £337 pm

2L
92.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

IBZ Motors

02039897125 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

£17,599

Finance available £371 pm

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,700

Finance available £403 pm

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.0 SE NAVIGATION TSI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5d 109 BHP 5-Door

£10,780

Finance available £205 pm

1L
64.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Aylesbury

01296320383 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,690

1.2L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Motor House

02039104775 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps) Automatic

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
52.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

2L
77.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

TJ Hamilton & Co

02886273062 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE [Nav] 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

1.6L
51.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

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

Reduced

£18,295

Finance available £355 pm

2L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,366

1.5L
40.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Bridgwater

01278555830 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,295

Finance available £417 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bateman & Lynch Cars (Tavistock)

01822661267 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Clubsport 40 DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£27,799

2L
29.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

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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