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.

5,361 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2023 - MK8 2.0 TSI (320ps) R 4Motion DSG Estate Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£37,800

2L
5.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - CLIMATE

Low Mileage

£18,317

Finance available £364 pm

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (220 ps)

Low Mileage

£17,287

2L
30.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stellantis &You Bristol Cribbs Causeway

01172331393 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI Match 5dr

£23,189

1.5L
19.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr Manual

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

1.6L
56.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

TrustFord Glasgow

01412601245 *

Volkswagen Golf2012 - 2.0 TSI GTI Edition 35 3dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
89.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Saratoga Motors

01217288892 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (60) - 1.6 TDI 105 S 5dr

Reduced

£1,895

1.6L
148.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MY ISHAQ LTD

01217525785 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI GTD Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

Reduced

£17,799

Finance available £368 pm

2L
49.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (67) - 1.4 Petrol (TSI), SE Edition, Nav, Hatchback, 3 Door, Euro 6.

£9,999

1.4L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£16,950

Finance available £356 pm

2L
56.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Marvello Trading

01268988916 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£16,900

Finance available £355 pm

2L
52.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Crawford Car Sales (NI) Ltd

02889440217 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 SE 5dr

£11,250

Finance available £229 pm

1.5L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

M5 Motors

01215160880 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO GT 5dr

£12,399

Finance available £247 pm

1.5L
69.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

cinch

01513174824 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI BLUE MOTION TECH LOW MILEAGE 45K MANUAL DIESEL 5-Door

Low Mileage

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

1.6L
45.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Birchington Auto Repairs Ltd

01843261703 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 - 2.0 TSI 320 R 4Motion 5dr DSG

£28,495

Finance available £565 pm

2L
43.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Fusco Vehicle Sales

02891249214 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 (58) - 1.9 SE TDI DPF 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£1,495

1.9L
106.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Ash Motors

01494977763 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2015 - 2.0 TSI BlueMotion Tech GTI Launch Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£6,950

Finance available £133 pm

2L
157.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Exclusive Autos Ltd

01923919062 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line 5dr DSG

£17,950

Finance available £348 pm

2L
92.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Hatchback

IJ Motors & Commercials

02890023175 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.6 TDI GT Edition 5dr

£12,490

1.6L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Marshall SEAT Leicester

01164646308 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Match 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

£25,388

1.5L
3.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Huddersfield

01484501073 *

4.6/5 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 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 (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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