A few seconds after I move off in my Fabia vRS, there is an audible clonk, from - if memory serves correctly - the lefthand rear of the car.

The first time I heard it was on my test drive, when I was convinced I'd hit something. However, when it subsequently happened in my customer car, I realised "oh, they all do that", and thought no more of it.

A mate of mine took a trip in my Fabia a couple of weekends ago, and ordered an identical one the following Tuesday. He took delivery earlier this week, but has emailed me to ask about the noise. I've put his mind at rest that it's nothing to worry about - but what the hell is it?

Tony.

It's likely to be the ABS automatic test procedure which is carried out once the car reaches about 20km/h. A pump noise may be audible for about 1 second during this check.

That explains it. My 16v has done that since new and I've often wondered why.

Odd that while the airbag diagnotic is going on the light is on on the dash, but not for the ABS.

Thanks guys. Makes perfect sense.

Obviously a Skoda peculiarity though, as it's my fifth car with ABS brakes (two of which were VW's).

Tony.