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.

5,261 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 1.5 eTSI R-Line EVO (150ps) DSG Estate 5-Door

Low Mileage

£22,690

1.5L
14.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,899

Finance available £453 pm

1.5L
7.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

£25,499

Finance available £536 pm

2L
23.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 Golf R 4WD 3dr

£9,995

2L
100.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Nathan Cottam Ltd

01492550719 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

1L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,851

1.6L
26.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Chorley MG

01257447782 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - TSI Style 5-Door

£14,495

1.5L
76.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

McCarthy Cars Ltd

02038895516 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 R DSG 3d 270 BHP 3-Door

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
71.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - TSI R 5-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Newmachar Motors Ltd

01651260106 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,209

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
33.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,590

Finance available £80 pm

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CH Car Sales

02890023206 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - R TSI DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

2L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

J B Motors

01483917289 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 8 GTE 1.4 TSI 245PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door

Low Mileage

£25,991

1.4L
7.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Edition 5dr

£13,999

1.5L
53.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,991

1.6L
111.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Your Next Car Ltd

01156849398 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
31.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Ralph Patterson Cars

02893440748 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,498

1.5L
18.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Click & Collect Colchester

01414839928 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG Auto

£18,312

1.4L
44.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Leicester

01164785122 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (71) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,187

Finance available £361 pm

1.5L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Car Co

01616945324 *

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 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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