hi there, our 05 fabia 1.4 16v sport has always had this ticking noise ever since we bought it. its in timing with the cam shaft so i ruled out bottom end bearings and assumed that it must be sticking hydraulic followers. if thats the case then why is there no noise when decerrerating ? which now makes me think it may be cam sensors if they have any. any ideas on this as i dont want to dismantle the top end if i dont have to ??

It is indeed the hydraulic lifters, nothing to worry about since they all do it.

The 1.4 16v is notorious for it. My Son's Golf ran faultlessly up to 152000 miles & sounded more like a TDI when he sold it.