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.

5,290 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,395

Finance available £165 pm

1.6L
87.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

SM Motors NI

02827440451 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£37,968

2L
7.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Reading

01189077016 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,900

Finance available £475 pm

2L
30.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.4 TSI Match Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,750

Finance available £106 pm

1.4L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Empire

02037576487 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)

£31,300

Finance available £545 pm

2L
20.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

2L
32.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Gormley Motors Ltd

02887448026 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Reduced

£22,990

Finance available £452 pm

1.5L
6.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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

Reduced

£3,699

Finance available £60 pm

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Milton Motor Centre

01234237535 *

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

£11,000

Finance available £228 pm

1L
59.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI GT DSG Euro 5 5dr

£1,495

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

M & A Automotive Ltd

01506376848 *

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

Reduced

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Car House Centre Carlisle

01228276717 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,298

1.5L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£15,700

1.5L
73.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT Edition 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,499

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Invicta Subaru Crawley

01293214024 *

Volkswagen Golf2007 (57) - 2.0T GTI 5dr

£3,295

Finance available £51 pm

2L
148.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cadnam Car Sales

02382149488 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,498

1.5L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414839934 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO Match 5dr

£12,869

1.5L
49.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Perrys Bolton SEAT

01204584864 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - TSI Highline Estate 5-Door

Reduced

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Magnum Motor Co

01252968428 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£22,568

Finance available £492 pm

2L
35.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 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 2016)

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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