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.

5,304 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,795

Finance available £286 pm

1.6L
34.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Shawn Dream Cars Ltd

02476936576 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,750

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Invicta Northampton

01604343482 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD (Nav) DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,989

Finance available £246 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£23,900

Finance available £431 pm

1.5L
14.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.0 TSI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,999

1L
75.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AL PRESTIGE CARS LTD

02380017157 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI Match Edition 5dr

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

A1 Autos

02890023133 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TSI 310 R 5dr 4MOTION

Low Mileage

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Diamond Specialist Cars Limited

01422412351 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£18,998

1.5L
46.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Ayr BYD

01292432784 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£21,004

Finance available £411 pm

2L
42.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

SHEPSHED FORD

01509277046 *

Volkswagen Golf1987 - 1.8 CONVERTIBLE CABRIOLET * ORIGINAL 1987 WHITE SMALL BUMPER 2-Door

Low Mileage

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

1.8L
90.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 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 Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£19,316

Finance available £376 pm

1.5L
29.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

drivedirect Nuneaton

02476932941 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO GPF GT Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,999

Finance available £252 pm

1.5L
76.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 300 R 3dr 4MOTION DSG

Low Mileage

£25,498

2L
19.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Used Car Centre (Irvine)

01294444010 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,549

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
33.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£20,750

Finance available £406 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

TMC Motors

01252960115 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

Reduced

£15,950

Finance available £334 pm

2L
61.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Grange Road Motors

02886273066 *

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 Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE [Nav] 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,998

1.5L
45.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Ayr BYD

01292432784 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - Style 5dr 1.5 TSI 130PS Manual

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

1.5L
46.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Days of Gorseinon

01792739750 *

4.3/5 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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