When the local VAG garage has had SWMBO's Octy in their care for scheduled service they have mentioned "coolant leak" in the protocol without further specifications.

There has been a slight loss of coolant, but not more than a pint or so over 10,000 miles so we haven't really cared - just kept an eye on the level.

Yesterday, however, I picked up the car from our independent garage after a cambelt/water pump change, and the owner told me that a pipe in the coolant system (return flow to the expansion bottle, I think - thin metal pipe running along the engine bay's rear edge) had broken down when he removed it. Corroded and with a small leak. Now replaced with a hose.

So that's probably where the coolant disappeared. Should anyone else notice a mysterious slight loss of coolant it could be a good idea to check this pipe.

Thanks for the tip

I'll have a look at this later seeing as I have an issue.

Cheers