1.2 Tsi Elegance DSG '63 plate.  Driving in town on Saturday, I became aware of what sounded to me (and my passenger) like a quiet electric motor, on the near side and somewhere forward of the glovebox.  Definitely not the AC, which I switched off to check.  Apparently not large and certainly not loud; a constant speed whether the car was stationary (lights, junctions), creeping in traffic or motoring at thirty; tone was a very quiet and moderately pitched whine, overlaid with a mild buzz and with some white noise.  I'm an old-school 'car listener' but I didn't hear it start, nor can I say how it stopped (i.e. fade-out, run-down or sudden cessation) but after about fifteen minutes, and recently out of the speed limit, the sound wasn't there.  It wasn't there today, either, in similar conditions.  Performance seemed, and seems, normal. 

 

I have never heard it before in this Yeti, nor in its predecessor 140 Tdi DSG.  I can't think of any motor in that region of the engine compartment.  Any ideas, please  ? 

There’s a pressure pump for the fuel rail and one for the DSG a nd some cars have an electric coolant pump and power steering too.

^  Thanks for the suggestions.  I am doubtful about any of them (if actually present) because, as I said, the sound was at a constant pitch; no sign of a varying load, which would be expected in town driving.  Perhaps I should stick to the lanes!  The car is due for a service and I'll have it checked then.