Anyone know if there is a common cause that has stopped my car having a reverse gear.

Its 1.9 TDI with a manual box. It's had the gearbox oil replaced during the service which had helped getting it into first a lot easier. Finding reverse hasn't been a problem and the lever feels like it is going into position okay.

Any suggestions would be appreciated so I can look like I know what I'm talking about when I can get to a garage next week.

Cheers

WW

Get the cables & linkage checked mate.

Might also be an issue with the dog-bone engine mount too, iirc. SLX suggests the car is quite old and thus high mileage. My 2001 does not have issues with reverse, due does object with high-speed (70mph) changes from 4th to 5th sometimes - just feels like there is a lump of rubber in the way, in particular when overtaking on a certain section of road.

The garage I have taken the car to have said there is a lot of wear in the cables and linkage (as Wayne said). About £70 per cable plus other parts and fitting so I'm looking at £300+:rotz:

Hopefully this will be enough to sort out the gearbox.

Cables and some linkage parts replaced today at a cost of £310:eek:

All sorted now and even first gear is where it should be.

There you go mate, happy motoring. Shame about the bank robbery but that's life.