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.

5,214 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG

Low Mileage

£24,491

1.5L
16.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,195

Finance available £183 pm

2L
108.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI 110 SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,798

1L
44.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Kilmarnock Hyundai / Vanstore

01563590228 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£31,634

Finance available £657 pm

2L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0 GT SPORT TDI 5d 168 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

North East Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01916077185 *

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 Golf2018 (67) - 1.5 TSI EVO BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,299

Finance available £230 pm

1.5L
50.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

UK Car Sales

01792001638 *

2.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2005 (05) - 2.0 TFSI GTI 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
137.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - VW Golf 1.5 Life 5dr

£15,996

1.5L
41.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Baylis Cirencester

01285702713 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£33,076

2L
12.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (235 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

2L
69.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FS Performance Ltd

01582280332 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 2.0 TDI GTD 3-Door

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

2L
82.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Lodge Hill Garage Ltd

01865411815 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (310 ps)

£18,300

Finance available £394 pm

2L
67.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

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

Low Mileage

£25,690

Finance available £507 pm

2L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BSP Motor Vehicles Ltd

01332419208 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 5dr 1.0 TSi Life

£16,295

1L
24.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Frosts Chichester

01243219542 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Match 5dr

£23,862

1.5L
19.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£6,000

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Life DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£16,494

Finance available £346 pm

1.5L
34.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,698

1.5L
33.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,299

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
38.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Edinburgh

01312028747 *

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 (2016 to 2020)

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
MPG:: 44 - 57
Acceleration:: 6.3 - 10.8 seconds
Boot space:: 380 - 605 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI Moda 5dr DSG
Fastest
2.0 TSI GTI Moda 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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