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 Golf2021 (71) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£17,992

1.5L
31.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,990

1.6L
98.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Eastfield Motors

01733794330 *

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

£8,195

Finance available £161 pm

1.4L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cater Road Cars Ltd

01172446199 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2012 (12) - 1.6 TDI Match Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£5,000

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
67.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

M & N

01908767437 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.0 TSI 115 Match 5dr DSG

£13,498

1L
63.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark SEAT/Cupra (Glasgow North)

01414839922 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr [Performance Pack]

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Coopers Cars (South West) Limited

01278555831 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,498

1.5L
40.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Seafield MG

01313226884 *

4.7/5 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 Golf2014 - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr

£6,450

Finance available £122 pm

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SM Auto Sales

02890026930 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£14,849

Finance available £300 pm

1.5L
47.3K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 3dr

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

2L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

The Brookside Garage

01407888489 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5-Door

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.5L
95.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

GT 88 LTD

01616749828 *

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI SE 5dr

£5,499

Finance available £101 pm

1.4L
101.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

ist choice Car Co

01918237767 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - TSI EVO Match 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,450

Finance available £345 pm

1.5L
28.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Bentley Garage

01395201198 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£17,440

2L
76.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Manchester

01612417068 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VII ESTATE 1.2 TSI DSG ULEZ 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,390

Finance available £165 pm

1.2L
46.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£8,450

Finance available £166 pm

1.6L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

B Mullan Motors

02890026315 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 GT AUTO 5 DR

Reduced

£16,495

1.5L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Victoria Motors Ltd

01747440831 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£13,589

1.5L
86.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Gold Cars Ltd

01386831300 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - R DSG 5-Door

£14,900

Finance available £311 pm

2L
84.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

RGS CARS LIMITED

01403331258 *

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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