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.

5,266 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) R-Line EVO

Low Mileage

£23,790

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,250

2L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Windmill Motors Ltd

01778308209 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG

£20,475

Finance available £400 pm

2L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Sandwell Car Sales

01215160845 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - SE TSI EVO 5-Door

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
17.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£10,595

2L
93.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) - 17IN ALL

£16,605

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Towcester

01327221488 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,780

1.6L
38.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Coulsdon

02038895530 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

1.4L
89.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tiley of Bristol

01174404957 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

2L
49.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zanouchi Group Limited

01204939533 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£17,498

1.5L
26.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark St Helens Renault / Dacia / Vanstore

01744419406 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£28,118

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Bournemouth

01202068625 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 5-Door

Low Mileage

£19,650

Finance available £383 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

Mac Motors

02890023774 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.0 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) Touchscreen

£11,555

Finance available £217 pm

1L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.4L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Lakeside Motors

01964211032 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,700

Finance available £278 pm

1.5L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Wimbledon

02038235453 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 5dr 4MOTION DSG Auto

£21,246

2L
53.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Nissan Doncaster

01302245278 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD 5-Door

£8,875

Finance available £176 pm

2L
115.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

WISHAW CAR SALES LTD

01698538886 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£30,538

2L
8.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Nottingham North

01313702485 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£10,295

Finance available £208 pm

30.1K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Essex Car Store

01376319739 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

£13,531

Finance available £280 pm

2L
70.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

REVS (automotive) Limited

01205332693 *

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

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

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

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