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.

5,248 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2022 - GTD MK8 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,790

2L
23.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDI SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,295

1.6L
108.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£18,599

Finance available £385 pm

2L
37.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£6,795

1.6L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

J&M Cars Antrim

02879440954 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr DSG

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
83.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

McKinney Motors

02837440713 *

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

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
84.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

N K Car Sales Ltd

01143086541 *

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

Low Mileage

£24,990

1.5L
5.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI Match 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.6L
9.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Mac Motors

02890023774 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TSI GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,400

Finance available £490 pm

2L
28.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6

Low Mileage

£14,650

1.4L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bob Davies Car Sales

01495362191 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style Edition 5dr

£19,149

Finance available £397 pm

1.5L
31.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Glasgow

01412601249 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Leeds Motor Company (Commercial Road)

01134676267 *

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

Reduced

£5,395

1.6L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,995

2L
74.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

MOSSGATE MOTORS LTD

01613887618 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,998

2L
9.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Blackpool Vauxhall / Vanstore

01253201464 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

Low Mileage

£8,290

Finance available £163 pm

53.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Elderwood Motors

01733667440 *

3.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 2.0 TSI GTI Clubsport Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps) 1 Owne

£41,990

Finance available £842 pm

2L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,680

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Leamington Spa

01926569991 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,998

1.5L
27.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark St Helens Renault / Dacia / Vanstore

01744419406 *

4.7/5 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

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 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 3dr 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.

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