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.

5,069 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr

£1,150

1.9L
148.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BUDGET CARS (NW) LTD

01614139818 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV Style Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,045

1.5L
25.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 - 1.0 TSI SE Nav 5-Door

Low Mileage

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Affordable Cars Grimsby

01472494078 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 (60) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

CAR & CARS LTD

01506376863 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£26,379

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Newbury

01635959570 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 1.5 eTSI (130ps) Life EVO DSG Estate 5-Door

£20,456

1.5L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr

Low Mileage

£17,699

Finance available £373 pm

2L
37.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2014 (64) - 1.4 TSI S 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Colebrook and Sons Ltd

01202145724 *

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 Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£11,590

Finance available £237 pm

1.5L
101.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
30.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top Gear Harrow Ltd

02038895522 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Style 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,498

1.5L
33.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Dundee Vauxhall / Fiat / Abarth

01382768498 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 Golf R TSi 4Motion Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

Low Mileage

£36,750

Finance available £734 pm

2L
6.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

torquepoint

01908765737 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Life EVO

Low Mileage

£17,992

1.5L
13.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 1.6 Golf SE BlueMotion Technology TDI 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,100

Finance available £114 pm

1.6L
73.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

CarsUnder3000

01268203496 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
104.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 2.0T GTI Edition 30 3dr

Low Mileage

£9,399

Finance available £188 pm

2L
75.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

BM CARS WATFORD LTD T/A Chiswell Green Cars

01923927506 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI GTD 5dr

Reduced

£8,750

Finance available £173 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

BS Motors

02890021699 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£16,079

Finance available £327 pm

1.5L
25.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01273121210 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - VW 5Dr Style Edition 1.5

£18,299

Finance available £319 pm

1.5L
34.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Gates of Harlow

01279967327 *

4.3/5 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 2020)

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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