Scirocco Register

Parked outside a job this morning,car was fine,got in it 2 hours later to go home,turned the key,nowt,called the wife to bring me a big hammer.Gave the starter a couple of friendly taps,started up fine,have since turned it off and on again without probs !
Is this a sign of impending starter failure,or just one of those occasional things that gets sorted with the clout of a hammer ?

Sounds more like a loose electrical connection or bad earth to me.

if it was going "clunk" or maybe "clunk griiiiiiiiind" when you turn the key it would be a sign of the solenoid sticking. remove starter, strip, clean internals, grease solenoid pivots and put back together

if it was making no noise at all, it is more likely to be an electrical problem. check the trigger wire to it is on securely and not corroded. otherwise might be the ignition barrel or switch starting to get worn