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.

5,363 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Life EVO

£17,690

Finance available £343 pm

1.5L
19.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Crewe Volkswagen

01270445669 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.0 eTSI Life 5dr DSG

£20,900

1L
8.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,490

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
11.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 2.0L PETROL AUTOMATIC, 5 SEATER, ULEZ, FRESH IMPORT, VE

Low Mileage

£10,495

2L
63.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Quality Autos

01708205279 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Blackline Motors Ltd

01618042356 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Low Mileage

£21,995

Finance available £431 pm

2L
44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wixford Motor Company Ltd

01217525788 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5-Door

£16,197

Finance available £326 pm

1.5L
30.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ATA CARS LTD

02037808889 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

BMC Car Sales Group Ltd

01603937404 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£19,298

1.5L
29.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Huddersfield Fiat / Abarth / Jeep / Alfa Romeo

01484504408 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.4 Twist 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.4L
68.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

J26 Vans & Trucks Limited

01156977778 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG [Performance Pack/Nav]

Low Mileage

£16,949

Finance available £346 pm

2L
40.7K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,250

Finance available £140 pm

1.5L
127.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Chigwell Motors Ltd

02038051077 *

Volkswagen Golf1.2L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,790

Finance available £85 pm

45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£20,999

Finance available £438 pm

1.5L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5

Reduced

£6,995

1.4L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jefferies Car Centre Ltd

01373489224 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£25,767

Finance available £509 pm

1.5L
2.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf1984 (A) - 1.8 GTi 2dr

Low Mileage

£3,998

Finance available £67 pm

1.8L
112.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

PSG Car And Van Hire Limited

01217288820 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£13,690

Finance available £278 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,269

Finance available £371 pm

1.5L
50.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 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 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 (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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