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.

5,259 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.4L PETROL GOLF TOURAN TSI

Low Mileage

£4,990

Finance available £89 pm

1.4L
61.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
People Carrier

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI Life Hatchback 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

£14,200

Finance available £236 pm

2L
59.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI 110 Match Edition 5dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
71.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Drive City Cars Ltd

01616696923 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AHC CAR SALES LTD

01135123659 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£19,450

Finance available £379 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Farlan Automotives Limited

02038730401 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£13,095

Finance available £270 pm

1.4L
49.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Greenlight Automotive Ltd

01254920838 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,200

Finance available £338 pm

1.5L
19.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (200 ps)

£20,500

Finance available £355 pm

2L
60.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr Full service history, recent clutch and cambelt

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

2L
105.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

RobertsCarscouk

01352871761 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£18,300

Finance available £394 pm

1.5L
4.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Leeds

01134689988 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI 8.7kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£8,990

Finance available £179 pm

1.4L
122.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

CAR CITY (LUTON) LIMITED

01582853748 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£12,479

Finance available £249 pm

1.5L
64.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

02039092092 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 2.0 TSI R DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£34,500

Finance available £688 pm

2L
15.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

H & S Autos Ltd

01932565026 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT 2dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Convertible

VW Audi Auto Sales

02890026940 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 2.0 TSI 333 R Black Edition 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£53,990

2L
652.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Golf2002 (52) - 1.9 TDI PD S 5dr

£1,100

1.9L
226.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car 4 Everyone Ltd

01902904121 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line Edition 5dr Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£18,472

1.5L
26.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£14,599

Finance available £304 pm

1.5L
36.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.4 TSI eHybrid Style 5dr DSG

Reduced

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

1.4L
41.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - MK8 1.0 eTSI Life EVO (110ps) DSG Estate 5-Door

Reduced

£18,443

1L
21.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

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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