Methods are directed to checking a pressure sensor comprising a reversibly deformable, in particular reversibly bendable measuring element which supplies a measurement signal having a value depending on the degree of deformation of said measuring element, to the effect of whether the pressure sensor withstands a required maximum pressure which is larger by a predeterminable factor than a nominal pressure for which the sensor is designed. The methods generally involve use of a reference pressure sensor, which is structurally identical to the pressure sensor to be checked, for generating a distance/pressure characteristic curve and for evaluating the critical pressure required for breaking the measuring element. The critical pressure can then be used to determine if a particular value of pressure is larger than the required maximum pressure that the pressure sensor to be checked is intended to withstand.