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.

5,213 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2019 - R 2.0 TSI 4MOTION 300PS 7-speed DSG 5 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£23,981

2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£14,490

Finance available £246 pm

1.5L
45.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Farnham Volkswagen

01252916356 *

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

£18,399

1L
21.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.4L
90.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 (24) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£25,113

Finance available £517 pm

2L
9.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Evogo Limited

01145537251 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2024 - 1.5 TSI R-Line 5-Door

£20,197

Finance available £412 pm

1.5L
31.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

CarSupermarket.com Birmingham

01215165158 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£12,994

Finance available £268 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Sarah Cox Cars Ltd

01623706190 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 - 1.5 eTSI MHEV R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£21,950

Finance available £430 pm

1.5L
15.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Saxton 4x4

01245202306 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2016 (16) - R LINE EDITION TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

2L
103.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Car City Bristol Limited TA CARHUB

01174400727 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 2.0 TSI 300 GTI Clubsport 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£39,990

2L
961.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Stratstone Select Bracknell

01344202530 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£26,449

Finance available £557 pm

2L
5.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Motorpoint Sheffield

01143086607 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 TSI 150 Life 5dr

£15,599

Finance available £320 pm

1.5L
35.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Motorpoint Norwich

01332419206 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,599

Finance available £316 pm

2L
49.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

cinch Store Bristol

01174400909 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 (18) - 2.0 Golf R TSi Semi-Auto 4WD 5dr

£16,990

2L
88.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.0 TSI Life Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£13,000

Finance available £213 pm

1L
47.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (73) - 1.5 TSI Life Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps)

£17,000

Finance available £318 pm

1.5L
23.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Big Motoring World Norwich

01603567768 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI SE DSG Euro 5 5dr

Reduced

£6,980

1.6L
45.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

HM Car Sales

01884212123 *

Volkswagen Golf2011 (61) - 1.2 TSI S 5dr DSG ULEZ

Low Mileage

£6,390

1.2L
45.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

The Left Hand Drive Place

01256679126 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2007 (07) - 1.6 FSI Match Hatchback 5dr Petrol Automatic (180 g/km 113 bhp)

Low Mileage

£4,700

1.6L
45.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

CITYSCAPE AUTOS LTD

02037636612 *

Volkswagen Golf2017 (66) - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech Match Edition Hatchback 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

1.4L
69.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

AUTOTRADE BIRMINGHAM LTD

01217525773 *

4.4/5 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

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

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 3dr 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

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