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.

5,140 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

Low Mileage

£15,998

1.5L
26.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Peugeot (Glasgow)

01414736424 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,999

Finance available £335 pm

2L
89.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Zeus Cars Limited

01234237525 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,190

Finance available £209 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Ponko

01223857211 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 1.0 TSI Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,195

1L
37.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motor Trust UK Bury

01612416386 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 (62) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
70.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Dean Smith Car Sales

01613887695 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2008 (08) - 1.9 Match TDI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£2,695

1.9L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

AMICAS GROUP LTD

01274028401 *

Volkswagen Golf2014 (14) - 1.4 Petrol Automatic TSI 5 Seats 5dr ULEZ Free

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.4L
49.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

TM UK TRADING LTD

02037633741 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Clifby Motor Centre

01422410533 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (14) - 1.2 TSI BlueMotion Tech S DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,480

Finance available £189 pm

1.2L
36.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

NT Traders Limited

02037639054 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 (20) - 2.0 TSI GPF GTI Performance Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245 ps)

£21,995

2L
42.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Luton Trade Centre

01582280724 *

3.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,799

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Invicta Subaru Crawley

01293214024 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 2.0 GT SPORT TDI 5d 168 BHP 5-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

North East Part Exchange Centre Ltd

01916077185 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (Z3) - 35.8kWh e-Golf Hatchback 5dr Electric Auto (136 ps)

£8,500

79.9K
Miles
Electric
Automatic
Hatchback

Riverside Car Sales Ltd

01283241530 *

3.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2010 - 1.6 TDI 105 BlueMotion Tech SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
112.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

PRESTIGE BHP

01753915481 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - GTI MK8 Facelift 2024 2.0 TSI (265ps) DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£35,991

2L
2.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - (Sold)1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech ACT GT 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (140 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
56.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Anchor Cars Tadley

01182078518 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£32,950

Finance available £656 pm

2L
17.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Agnew Volkswagen Belfast

02890021959 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 - TDI BlueMotion Tech Match 5-Door

£5,491

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
118.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Prestige Motor Company

01312027977 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr Automatic

Reduced

£36,795

Finance available £735 pm

2L
5.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Port Talbot)

01639501372 *

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 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 (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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