I have a manual transmission Octavia MK2 1.4 TSI. Yesterday after doing some shopping, I came home and reversed into my parking spot, as usual. When I had to leave home today, the car wouldn't engage reverse. It's like something prevents the gear stick to enter into the reverse position. I am able to press the stick down and move it to the left, but it won't move all the way up, into R. After a quick read here on the forum, I tried "pumping" the clutch a few times, and disengaging the handbrake while moving the stick, but I still can't select reverse. I can't see the the sense in this, as everything was fine 20 hours ago. Last night was the coldest this winter, with -14°C. Could the temperature somehow cause this issue?

What about putting first any other gear (1,3)and then try sliding the R (without leaving clutch)?

Try this:

 

https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=278915.0

Have a look at the gear linkage under the battery on top of the gearbox, I had it once when it wouldnt go into first gear, the fault was part of the linkage was worn and the selector cable popped off the end, I fixed it by putting a large selftapper screw with a washer on to stop it falling off the end, I did put a guide on Briskoda.

Hi guys, thanks for the advice. I went to the car today to check the things you've mentioned, but to my surprise the issue is completely gone.  I didn't touch the car since the issue occurred, on Thursday.  Now it works perfectly, just as it did before. That's obviously a good thing, but I'm still wondering what was going on, on Thursday. Maybe the cold temperature made some oil/grease stiff?