A contact element for making electrical contact with a contact area of a mating contact element, wherein a contact region forms at least two contact points, and wherein the two contact points are distinguished from one another in the new state in respect of the distance from the contact area of the mating contact element, so that, in the new state, a first of the contact points makes contact with the contact area and, after a defined amount of wear of the first contact point, the second contact point makes contact with the contact area.