A diagnostic apparatus for a fluidic actuator, in particular a fluidic valve drive, which has an actuator element displaceable into different positions (x1, x2, xp1, xp2), wherein the diagnostic apparatus is configured to provide a first break-away pressure measured value (pi1) for a first position of the actuator element. The diagnostic apparatus is further configured to determine, based on the first break-away pressure measured value (pi1) and break-away pressure reference information (pri) stored in the diagnostic apparatus, a first break-away pressure prediction value (pp1) for a first prediction position (xp1) of the actuator element, the first prediction position being different from the first position (x1).