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 Golf2024 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£39,790

Finance available £797 pm

2L
3.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Neyland)

01646400240 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG

£29,295

6.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,750

Finance available £352 pm

2L
34.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI 105 SE 5dr DSG

£4,999

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
150.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

FALLOWFIELD CARS LIMITED

01613887703 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr DSG

£14,298

2L
93.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Nottingham Motorstore / Vanstore

01158964024 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Golf2013 - 2.0 TSI Golf GTI DSG 5dr Low mileage In Stock

Low Mileage

£12,999

Finance available £268 pm

44.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

J & B Car Sales LTD TA Southwest Car Imports

01752968317 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr £35 TAX BIG SPEC

Low Mileage

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

Trade Sales South Wales Ltd

02920027059 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.6 TDI GT Edition Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£12,490

1.6L
65.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - eTSI MHEV Life 5-Door

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.5L
73.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Wheelers Chipping Norton

01608692663 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£20,498

2L
15.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall/Jeep/Alfa Romeo (Linwood)

01414736412 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 1.5 TSI (130ps) Style EVO

Low Mileage

£17,491

1.5L
33.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Manual
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - 1.6 Match FSI 5dr

Reduced

£2,795

1.6L
94.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quigley Motors

02830447305 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£15,795

Finance available £331 pm

2L
80.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarBrothers NI

02894339938 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£27,750

Finance available £550 pm

2L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

BSP Motor Vehicles Ltd

01332419208 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RSK CARS LIMITED

01902240171 *

Volkswagen Golf1.2L PETROL

Low Mileage

£4,790

Finance available £85 pm

45.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Jan London Trade Ltd

01217288705 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

Reduced

£12,249

1.4L
40.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

2.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (13) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5

Low Mileage

£7,495

1.4L
83.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Jefferies Car Centre Ltd

01373489224 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£27,807

2L
7.8K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Audi Bexley

02038895332 *

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 (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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