Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking the state of the chassis of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is brought onto a position holding means spaced over a support and then the position holding means is removed so that the motor vehicle falls with its front or rear axle in free fall on the support, and wherein (1) the spacing between the position holding means and the support, which corresponds to the height of fall of the motor vehicle, is selected so that it corresponds essentially to the residual spring deflection (distance between wheel axle and buffer stop) predetermined by the design of the motor vehicle but does not exceed this, (2) the position holding means is removed at least as quickly as the particular wheel or wheels of the motor vehicle to be tested would fall under the action of the force of gravity and the simultaneous action of the relaxing spring present between wheel and body, ignoring the oppositely directed action of the shock absorber and the frictional forces (for example in the a