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.

5,313 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI 150 Style 5dr

£22,698

1.5L
12.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Greenock

01475601914 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£16,200

Finance available £340 pm

1.5L
19.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Tobin Motors

01227203699 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£23,049

Finance available £483 pm

1.5L
4.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Ipswich

01473354033 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.4 TSI Match DSG 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,991

1.4L
114.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Top1Cars LTD

01245678443 *

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

Reduced

£12,999

2L
107.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AL PRESTIGE CARS LTD

02380017157 *

0/5 Stars

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

£27,249

Finance available £575 pm

2L
5.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI MATCH BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£10,499

Finance available £212 pm

1.6L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Bexhill Motors Terminus Road

01424234748 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£34,995

Finance available £698 pm

2L
23.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

All Cars Group Ta ACG Motors

01613887664 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (19) - 1.6 TDI Match DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,480

Finance available £256 pm

1.6L
61.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

AG Cars Loughborough Limited

01509278062 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr**Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25'' high-resolution TF

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.5L
61.7K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Hailsham Motoring Centre

01323914685 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - MK8 Hatch 5-Dr 1.5 eTSI (150PS) Life EVO DSG

£20,652

1.5L
16.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Southampton

02380017658 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr - Discover Navigation - Front

£16,295

1.5L
28.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorparks Warrington

01925875960 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - R MK8 2.0 TSI 4Motion 320PS DSG 5 Dr + MILLTEK EXHAUST UPGRADE

Reduced

£33,443

2L
18.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,489

Finance available £234 pm

2L
78.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

DJH Prestige And Sports

01216615564 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 (22) - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£21,300

Finance available £378 pm

1.5L
13.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

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

£8,099

Finance available £159 pm

1.4L
85.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Cars Hub

01753915480 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£14,998

1.5L
40.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI GT Diesel Manual 5 Door Hatchback Grey

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Swans Motor Group LTD

01603516692 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI R Hatchback 3dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,666

Finance available £471 pm

2L
39.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - MK8 Hatchback 5-Dr 2.0TDI (150ps) Style DSG

Low Mileage

£19,995

2L
20.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

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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