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.

5,259 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Style EVO DSG

Low Mileage

£19,995

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Garrowhill Car Sales Ltd

01412601241 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (

£17,000

Finance available £329 pm

1.4L
45.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Stringers of Petersfield

01730779314 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,500

Finance available £474 pm

2L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,250

Finance available £251 pm

1.6L
69.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CAR HOUSE OF BRITIAN LTD

01614139885 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£12,400

1.5L
67.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) A

Reduced

£20,850

Finance available £408 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,750

Finance available £652 pm

2L
19.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TSI R 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Richard Greer Car Sales

02890026904 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£11,687

1L
29.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Hyundai Edinburgh West

01312025137 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£10,395

Finance available £210 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Poolstock Car Sales Limited

01942597424 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£23,849

Finance available £500 pm

1.4L
7.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 3dr

Reduced

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

S L Cars

01985800653 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£23,000

1.5L
4.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr DSG [Nav]

£12,498

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen/MG (Rutherglen)

01414839932 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door Automatic

£26,790

Finance available £530 pm

2L
28.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 - 1.4 TSI GT 2-Door

Low Mileage

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.4L
73.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

David Graves

01943668892 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,700

Finance available £83 pm

1.4L
51.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£19,998

1.5L
41.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volvo (Inverness)

01463218772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Jonathan Dawson Car Sales Ltd

01134676315 *

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 (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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