I have recently bought a 2009 1.6 hatch, 80k on the clock. There is an odd rolling-ball sound coming from the centre of the dash - a bit like the sound of the ball in a roulette wheeel before it drops. The sound last only 2-3-4 seconds, in bursts, as I corner sharply but not neccessarily at any great speed.

It isn't something rolling across the glovebox, although that is what it sounds like.

Any ideas?

I assume you've checked there's nothing loose in the dash stowage compartment?

Unusual never heard that one before its possible a kid has popped something in a vent ide take the glovebox out to have a look with a torch the top vent would be my obvios thought at the windscreen for something to fall into

Unfortunately like all odd sounds, this is difficult to describe. Although it does sound like something rolling, it does not move and for the length of the sound - 2-3-4 seconds, in bursts, something would be rolling pretty much from one side of the car to the other - think how long it takes for something to slide across the full width of the top of the dash when you corner. The sound comes pretty much from behind the radio and does not move. How long each unbroken burst lasts as I turn depnds on how sharply and fast I turn - the higher the G force the longer it lasts.

The sound also has a sort of whirring quality - it sounds a bit like a slow revving pump, running dry. It is almost drowned-out by the radio at reasonable volume, but not entirely.