A holding device holds a vehicle component such as an internal rear view mirror on a pane surface of a motor vehicle. The holding device includes a base element having a fastening surface for attachment to the pane surface of the motor vehicle, a cover part for fastening to the base element and for holding a foot element, wherein the cover part is held on the base element by engaging at least one pin in an associated recess in a holding element of the cover part. The holding element has an auxiliary recess which is arranged offset to the recess in a direction of extension such that when force is applied in the direction of extension with an amount of force which is greater than a threshold amount, the cover part shifts on the base part and the at least one pin is at least partially accommodated in the auxiliary recess.