I've just had my superb serviced and VCDS had brought up

 

4891 - EGR Valve (N18)

            P0403 00 [096] - Malfunction

            Intermittent - Not Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear

 

Is this an electrical fault or is it just filled with soot??

 

I've been quoted £225 for a TerraClean EGR clean but Euro Car Parts want anywhere between £300 and £430 for a new one......

Personally, at the first sign of an EGR problem I would bypass it and remap. My 1.6 is much nicer after and a 2.0 would be great IMHO

The N18 is the actuator solenoid for the EGR, not the EGR valve itself. A new N18 is a lot cheaper than a new EGR valve, but it would be worth having the wiring to it checked for damage before replacing it.