A method for determining a location area of a mobile terminal relative to a vehicle includes generating a set of positions relative to the vehicle, calculating a location probability of the mobile terminal for one position from the set of positions, and assigning one position from the set of positions to a zone from a plurality of zones of the vehicle. The method also includes determining an aggregated location probability of the mobile terminal for the zone from the plurality of zones depending on the positions assigned to the zone. And, if the aggregated location probability of the mobile terminal for the zone exceeds a predefined confidence value, the method further comprises determining the zone as the location area of the mobile terminal.