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.

5,361 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2016 - TECH MATCH EDITION TSI DSG BMT 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,975

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

JMV

01634564263 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - LIFE TSI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£17,995

Finance available £349 pm

1.5L
21.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Ticehurst Motors Ltd

01580238472 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R 4Motion 300ps DSG 5Dr

Low Mileage

£22,991

2L
46.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

£24,900

Finance available £491 pm

2L
55.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,490

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Halesowen Trade Centre Ltd

01217288685 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - VOLKSWAGEN Golf 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6

Low Mileage

£20,499

1.5L
23.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Norton Way Honda

01462412594 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

£13,490

Finance available £279 pm

2L
84.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

SR Motors

01793268063 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,810

1.5L
14.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI GTD DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Precision Motor Group

02039537318 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£8,495

Finance available £167 pm

1.6L
102.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RH Motor Sales Ltd

01594801996 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Auto 5dr

Low Mileage

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

33.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Fife Mitsubishi Cupar

01592407354 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£28,995

Finance available £575 pm

2L
11.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

JRS Commercials & Cars

02887441404 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

Low Mileage

£15,899

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
22.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Thurlow Nunn Beccles

01502440598 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£15,990

1.5L
47.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£22,995

Finance available £378 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Norman Motors Bournemouth

01202133536 *

4.9/5 Stars

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

£8,994

Finance available £179 pm

54.6K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

BVG Automotive

01618048253 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
61.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Grayswood Cars

01428771375 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5Dr 1.5 eTSI 130 R-Line EVO DSG

£21,991

1.5L
28.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - TSI R 20 Years 5-Door

£39,995

Finance available £801 pm

2L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Nick Bonar Cars

02893440727 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 Golf TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI 5-Door

Low Mileage

£16,995

2L
45.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Woodcroft Motors

01642030069 *

0/5 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 (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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