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.

5,197 Used Volkswagen Golf cars for sale

Volkswagen Golf2024 - TSI R 20 Years 5-Door

£39,995

Finance available £801 pm

2L
11.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Nick Bonar Cars

02893440727 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 1.5 TSI 150 R-Line 5dr

£17,998

1.5L
37.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Vauxhall (Glasgow)

01414068758 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2018 - 1.4 TSI SE Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps) Manual

Low Mileage

£11,495

1.4L
55.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Sherwoods Citroen Gateshead

01918146400 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI Life 5dr

£15,490

2L
59.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

Listers Volkswagen Nuneaton

02476930658 *

Volkswagen Golf2024 (74) - 1.5 eTSI 150 Style 5dr DSG Petrol Hatchback

Low Mileage

£28,870

1.5L
2.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Vertu Volkswagen Harrogate

01423396103 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2023 (72) - 2.0 TDI 200 GTD 5dr DSG

Reduced

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
7.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

L A MOTORS

07393778079 *

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

£20,991

1.5L
15.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Golf2023 (23) - 2.0 TSI GTI 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,695

2L
14.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Golf2016 - GT 2.0 TDI BMT 140PS 6-speed DSG Automatic 2-Door

Low Mileage

£13,717

2L
23.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Convertible

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

Volkswagen Golf2015 (15) - 1.4 TSI Match 5dr

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

1.4L
97.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

AK MOTORS (WEST MIDLANDS) LTD

01216618549 *

Volkswagen Golf2019 - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£21,528

2L
41.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Hatchback

Marshall Honda Reading

01182078508 *

Volkswagen Golf2022 - 1.5 eTSI 150 Active 5dr DSG

£17,498

1.5L
52.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Motorstore (Wigan)

01942597310 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2019 (69) - 2.0 TSI 245 GTI Performance 5dr

£19,495

Finance available £380 pm

2L
53.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Murray Motors (FRS) Ltd

01346410646 *

Volkswagen Golf2008 - MATCH TDI DPF 105 5-Door

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.9L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

ALLCARS(sales)LIMITEDT/aAllcars

01945664266 *

Volkswagen Golf2025 - 1.5 TSI Life 5dr

£24,995

Finance available £493 pm

1.5L
99.0
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Golf2020 - 2.0 TDI 150 Style 5dr DSG

£19,498

2L
42.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Arnold Clark Volvo (Inverness)

01463218772 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GTD Hatchback 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (184 ps)

£12,970

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Hatchback

Dace Specialist Car Centre Stockport

01616945314 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI GT 3-Door

£6,695

Finance available £127 pm

2L
102.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Hatchback

WMA VEHICLE HIRE AND SALES LIMITED

01913002068 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Golf2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (245

Low Mileage

£20,999

1.4L
13.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Hatchback

HPL Motors Preston

01772957419 *

Volkswagen Golf2018 - MK7 Facelift 2.0 TSI GTI Performance DSG 5DR Automatic

Low Mileage

£21,541

Finance available £422 pm

2L
53.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Hatchback

Sinclair Volkswagen (Cardiff)

02922672897 *

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 (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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