Defective actuators in an internal combustion engine with at least one cylinder are detected. A mean value, in particular the arithmetic mean value, determines a measurement variable of all the actuators of a given type present on the cylinders. The measurement variable depends on at least one parameter. In a further step, a deviation is formed which is independent of the parameter. This ensures that the deviation across the entire parameter range remains constant. In a further step, the limit values, in particular the upper and lower limit values, are formed, the limit values being dependent on the deviation and on the mean value formed above. If an individual value of the measurement variable exceeds one of the two limit values, the method according to the invention detects this actuator as faulty and/or defective.