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.

5,258 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,100

Finance available £285 pm

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.2 TSI S Cabriolet Euro 5 2dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.2L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Car Hut Walsall Limited

01922662395 *

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

Low Mileage

£2,991

1.4L
114.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5-Door

£13,697

Finance available £272 pm

1.5L
72.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,542

Finance available £605 pm

2L
13.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - MATCH TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

£7,000

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Attenborough Cars

01302249082 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 1.5 TSI Style EVO (130ps) Estate 5-Door

Reduced

£19,495

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4MOTION Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,781

Finance available £345 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Eye Green Cars

01733794296 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Reduced

£18,990

Finance available £370 pm

2L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car City UK Catterick

01748900779 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,499

Finance available £257 pm

1L
42.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Empressive Motor Company

01865591236 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,998

1.5L
15.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Chertsey Motorstore

01932559028 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£25,498

1.5L
2.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.6L
48.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Murrays of Randalstown

02894330178 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£4,150

Finance available £70 pm

1.6L
172.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WYLIE CARS (NI) LTD

02890023623 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,475

1.4L
62.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

The Car Section Ltd

01706394506 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI Style Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - NAV - CARPLA

£16,471

Finance available £325 pm

2L
60.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carsa Cannock

01543227664 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£27,998

2L
29.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GCS - GERMAN CAR SPECIALIST

01494312143 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - GTD 2.0 TDI 200PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,735

2L
28.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,290

Finance available £185 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

The Value Car Centre

01603512116 *

4.5/5 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 Present)

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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