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.

5,227 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

Reduced

£300

1.9L
185.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Heaton Vehicle Sales 1

01708204883 *

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

Low Mileage

£3,391

Finance available £53 pm

1.4L
114.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£18,500

Finance available £328 pm

1.5L
32.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG, **PAN ROOF, 18' ALLOYS, WINT 5-Door

£29,990

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Oldham Volkswagen

01614139803 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI 125 Match Edition 5dr

Reduced

£10,000

1.4L
60.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hamlet Cars

01707932620 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (230 ps)

Reduced

£17,995

2L
55.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Baglan Car Centre

01639501146 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
80.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£21,989

Finance available £431 pm

2L
54.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stonebrook Motors

01932502422 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

2L
72.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

CAR HOUSE OF BRITIAN LTD

01614139885 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£12,598

2L
79.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vehicle Trade Centre Ayr

01292430591 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

2L
83.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

XENON AUTOMOTIVE LTD

01707932603 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Estate 5-Door

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
97.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

ILEX CAR SALES LTD

02877440249 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) 1 OWNER FROM

Reduced

£18,045

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

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

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

95.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Redpath & Mclean Motor Ltd

01316036539 *

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

Low Mileage

£29,549

Finance available £625 pm

2L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Birtley

01913387241 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Reduced

£21,849

Finance available £428 pm

2L
23.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Of Essex Ltd

01992367296 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,298

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat / Abarth (Falkirk)

01324465358 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,395

Finance available £210 pm

2L
86.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Luks car sales garage ltd

01162162323 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,490

Finance available £279 pm

2L
57.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TDi 170 GTD 3dr [Leather]

Low Mileage

£6,950

Finance available £133 pm

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Richard Greer Car Sales

02890026904 *

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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