A magnetic rotary actuator (12) for a motor vehicle control unit (10) is described, including a stationary part (22) and a rotary member (18) which is rotatable relative to the stationary part (22). The magnetic rotary actuator (12) has a magnetic latching haptics (28) comprising a plurality of magnetic latching positions. Both the stationary part (22) and the rotatable rotary member (18) each comprise at least two separately formed magnetic elements (30) which cooperate to generate the plurality of magnetic latching positions. A motor vehicle control unit (10) is furthermore described.