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.

5,361 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.6 TDI S Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) - DAB - USB AUD

£9,190

Finance available £172 pm

1.6L
71.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,349

Finance available £254 pm

1.4L
52.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CARS YARD

02039577371 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,295

Finance available £332 pm

1.5L
36.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 2.0 TDi 140 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr

£2,295

2L
162.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

All Automotive Glasgow

01414069556 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

2L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

UP PRESTIGE LTD

01746331186 *

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

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
80.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Baskeyfield Motors Limited

01782917824 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 Golf Match Edition Tdi Bluemotion 5-Door

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

AD Little Car Sales

01343611152 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG [Nav]

Low Mileage

£13,999

Finance available £290 pm

1.4L
33.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (73) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£21,491

1.5L
12.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,890

Finance available £288 pm

1.5L
49.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Doncaster Prestige Motor limited

01302246751 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

2L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.6 TDi 105 BlueMotion Tech Match 5dr DSG

£3,750

Finance available £61 pm

1.6L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

South West Motor Sales

01744419366 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£13,490

Finance available £279 pm

2L
84.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SR Motors

01793268063 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - MK8 Facelift Match 1.5 TSI 150PS Hatch 5 Door + CLICK AND COLLECT Manual

Low Mileage

£24,998

1.5L
2.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 1.4 S 3dr

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.4L
65.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

J O Premier Motors Limited

01312874285 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 85kW e-Golf 5dr Auto

Reduced

£8,399

Finance available £165 pm

37.4K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 2.0 TSI (320ps) R 4Motion DSG Estate Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£37,800

2L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£30,289

Finance available £615 pm

2L
24.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

2L
93.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Wainman Motors

01733902676 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI MATCH BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,499

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Terminus Road

01424234748 *

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

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 (2016 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 / 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

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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