A method for checking the quality of a workpiece, a surface section of the workpiece is finished with a manufacturing device. A reference signal representing a time dependent difference between an ideal tool position and a real tool position of a tool of the manufacturing device in a reference phase is determined when finishing the workpiece. A test signal representing a time dependent difference between an ideal tool position and a real tool position of a tool of the manufacturing device in an operation phase is determined when finishing the workpiece. A mean value and a standard deviation value from the reference signal is determined. Data points of the test signal are determined, where the test signal deviates from the mean value more than a defined multiple of the standard deviation value. The surface quality of the workpiece is estimated by using the determined data points.