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.

5,342 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr

Low Mileage

£34,495

2L
12.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,999

Finance available £455 pm

2L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£24,980

Finance available £493 pm

2L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Lowestoft

01502440235 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£26,000

Finance available £514 pm

2L
25.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
49.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motoring Way LTD

01633631006 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - GTI

Reduced

£17,995

2L
58.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 8 R-Line 1.5 TSI 150PS 6-speed Manual 5 Door Manual

Low Mileage

£25,000

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£31,989

Finance available £637 pm

2L
15.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Springfield Mill Motors Ltd

01535280869 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI R-Line Edition 5dr DSG

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

2L
53.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
50.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Grosvenor Cars Norfolk

01493808752 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

£8,494

Finance available £167 pm

54.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - MATCH FSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£2,495

1.6L
113.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Regal Motors

02394319624 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Fermanagh Auto Sales

02868336501 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,298

1.4L
22.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Stirling)

01786232264 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 5-Door

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
106.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Atlantic Motors

01736806430 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,190

Finance available £205 pm

1.6L
83.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Village Limited

01782969745 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,395

Finance available £210 pm

2L
86.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Luks car sales garage ltd

01162162323 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr + MILLTEK EXHAUST UPGRADE

Reduced

£31,944

2L
18.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 Match 5dr

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.5L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

MKS Car Sales Sinclair Street

01382213497 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£24,650

Finance available £486 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

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

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 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

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