was checking under the bonnet today and saw this:

 

Not seen the brown bits before, so not sure what is going on.  they are dry and I haven't lost any fluids are far as I can tell.  oil etc. Is normal, and the car behaves as normal.  any suggestions? I'm tempted to say its just sealeant that's spilt out at the factory.

 

Gumby, looks normal to me. I've seen those sorts of markings on all sorts of new or newish engines and it's of no concern. It literally can be any number of things that has caused the marks but none of them important. It could just be something that has spilled from an earlier service, and it's dried.

Thanks. Still wondering about the brown/yellow coloured bit towards the back of the picture on the right. Goes all the way round that cover by the looks of it?

got any more pics ?

could be waxes if you look it is under the barcode sticker not on top. If there was a leak

 

This shows it better. That yellow stuff goes all the way round, which is why I think it might just be sealant that has seeped out when the engine was built, but I'm not sure.

I think its a gasket 

+1 gasket

 

I notice you don't trust garages to swap filters at service time 

Or the service manager doesn't trust his techs

+1 gasket

 

I notice you don't trust garages to swap filters at service time 

 

ha, well I didn't place the mark there, but will come in handy next time!

 

Thanks for suggestions folks, seems obvious now. Just hadn't noticed it before.

Totally normal.