Strange noises

[Coobeastie]

Have a strange rattling/scratchy noise coming from the back of my engine though doesn't seem to be coming from the engine itself (Volkswagen V5). Could this be the catalyst on the way out?

[Morgus]

It might be as simple as a baffle in the exhaust has worked loose (which you can't do a great deal about) or a heat deflector around the catalyst could have worked loose. An enterprising 'under the arches' garage may be able to fix (bodge) the latter.