A remote start signal is received wirelessly from outside a motor vehicle and, upon receiving the remote start signal, an internal combustion engine in the vehicle is started and a first device group is activated, including at least one device designed to prepare driving off with the motor vehicle, thus setting the motor vehicle to a “remote start” state. A control unit of the motor vehicle is designed to determine whether, in the “remote start” state and before driving off, a person is carrying out a predetermined operating action in or on the motor vehicle that is unsuitable for driving off and, if necessary, to switch the motor vehicle to an “ignition ON” state in which the internal combustion engine is switched off and a second device group consisting of at least one comfort device is switched ready for operation.