Abstract: Monitoring a locking mechanism of an electric locking unit includes reversibly adjusting a locking bolt from an open position to a closed position during a closing operation; wherein the locking bolt extends from a recess of a locking part in the open position; and wherein the locking bolt projects into the recess of the locking part in the closed position; determining a closing time span of the locking bolt, wherein the closing time span of the locking bolt comprises an amount of time that the locking bolt requires to transition from the open position to the closed position during the closing process; comparing the determined closing time span of the locking bolt with a predetermined closing time span limit value; and detecting delayed locking of the electric locking unit when the determined closing time span exceeds the predetermined closing time span limit value.