When I start my 1.9CDTi [150bhp] of a morning the engine sounds quite oud with a ticking (tapping) sounds which seems to go quieter after a while.

Ovbiously I can't hear it when I am in the drriving seat, but when the missus starts the car of a morning for work and I can hear it outside the house the ticking (tapping) is audible.

... is this normal? is it tappets?

Car only has 12000 miles on clock.... coming up to first service next month

Denzo