My octavia was supplied with a detachable towbar (don't know if this was standard or an option) but I'd always assumed for some reason that there was no electrics.

I was poking around under the bumper tonight and found an electric socket for the towbar but in a position behind the bumper that is no use to man nor beast. Is the idea that if/when you want to use the towbar you'll cut the bumper?

I'm probably missing something really obvious

I thought the swan-neck towbars (essentially a detachable one), have the electrics on a spring-loaded plate, which you can pull down/fold out/fold down to plug your trailer lights into.

That said, I have a proper towbar, which I use as my parking sensor

That may well be correct. It was getting dark and it was all covered in crud, so I couldn't see anything clearly. Will have a proper poke around when I have a bit more time.

Thanks,

Martin

mbames is correct. It should be a flip down one. Well, it is on mine anyway!