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.

5,257 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE [Nav] 3dr

£6,795

Finance available £129 pm

1.4L
133.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT Edition 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,695

Finance available £249 pm

1.4L
54.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£18,400

Finance available £357 pm

2L
64.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr

£12,500

Finance available £257 pm

1L
57.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

David Hayton Ltd (Mazda Carlisle)

01228273596 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,689

Finance available £380 pm

1.5L
20.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr +P/ROOF + IQ + DCC + WINTER PACK

Low Mileage

£33,990

Finance available £678 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Cars Today Ltd TA Vans Today

01905947741 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (150ps) Life EVO Manual

Low Mileage

£17,199

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£18,998

1.5L
16.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Fiat (Kirkcaldy)

01592808074 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line EVo DSG Automatic

£23,490

1.5L
5.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,349

Finance available £314 pm

1.5L
38.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Stockton-On-Tees

01642937531 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - Gt Tdi Bluemotion Technology Semi-auto 5-Door

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
108.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Meridian Motors Limited

01506376846 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,912

2L
27.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall BMW Bournemouth

01202068625 *

Volkswagen Golf2009 - 2.0 TDi 140 GT 5dr

£2,995

2L
135.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Nathan Cottam Ltd

01492551908 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - R TSI 4MOTION DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£26,499

Finance available £524 pm

2L
24.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Find-My-Car.co.uk

01174404908 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
49.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Donnelly Mallusk Motorstore

02895908087 *

Volkswagen Golf2000 (X) - 1.6 SE 5dr Auto

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Zen Cars Walsall Ltd

01922664680 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO Match 5-Door

£12,789

1.5L
52.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI 105 Match 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

GH Motor Sales

01172331339 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
93.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£19,250

Finance available £375 pm

2L
38.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Clive Hamilton Motors

02890023155 *

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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