I'm not so sure now. I charged the battery last night, standing voltage now 12.5v or so. Tried starting it this morning - same deal. Very faint 'pop' noises but no fire up. Having read a number of forums now about the dodgy timing chain tensioner, I am unfortunately more confident that is my problem as I have the older style tensioner and I have had a few rattly cold starts over the last say 12 months or so. Symptoms seem to match up.

I hope I am wrong. My dealer service centre is pretty good and I am a loyal customer but I don't know whether they'll be up for fixing that under good will as I am 6 months out of my 3 year warranty. I sure bloody hope so though as it's a known problem with a TPI! I don't want to know how much a new engine or rebuild would cost.

Anyway, am trying to keep positive and not lose my mind. Well, I'll get it towed to VW on Monday and see what happens...