Sensor (10; 12) for motor vehicles for detecting objects in the traffic environment of a motor vehicle, wherein the sensor (10; 12) is designed to be installed on the motor vehicle in different installation configurations (30, 32) and to be operated in each of the different installation configurations (30, 32), wherein the sensor (10; 12) is configured to perform a method for determining its actual installation configuration (30, 32) from the different installation configurations (30, 32), characterized in that the sensor (10; 12) is configured to perform a measurement method for determining a misalignment of the sensor (10; 12), and in that the method for determining the actual installation configuration comprises: determining a misalignment of the sensor (10; 12) with respect to an installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested based on measurement data from the measurement method, wherein the measurement data from the measurement method are interpreted based on the installation configuration (30, 32) that is to be tested and is assumed to be correct (S10; S12); and identifying the installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested as correct or incorrect based on the determined misalignment of the sensor (10; 12), wherein, at least if the installation configuration to be tested is identified as incorrect, the steps of determining a misalignment (S10; S12) and of identifying an installation configuration (30, 32) as correct or incorrect are carried out for at least one further one of at least two installation configurations (30, 32) to be tested, wherein, if an installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested is identified as correct, this installation configuration (30, 32) is determined as the actual installation configuration (30, 32) of the sensor. wherein the sensor (10; 12) is designed to be installed on the motor vehicle in different installation configurations (30, 32) and to be operated in each of the different installation configurations (30, 32), wherein the sensor (10; 12) is configured to perform a method for determining its actual installation configuration (30, 32) from the different installation configurations (30, 32), characterized in that the sensor (10; 12) is configured to perform a measurement method for determining a misalignment of the sensor (10; 12), and in that the method for determining the actual installation configuration comprises: determining a misalignment of the sensor (10; 12) with respect to an installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested based on measurement data from the measurement method, wherein the measurement data from the measurement method are interpreted based on the installation configuration (30, 32) that is to be tested and is assumed to be correct (S10; S12); and identifying the installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested as correct or incorrect based on the determined misalignment of the sensor (10; 12), wherein, at least if the installation configuration to be tested is identified as incorrect, the steps of determining a misalignment (S10; S12) and of identifying an installation configuration (30, 32) as correct or incorrect are carried out for at least one further one of at least two installation configurations (30, 32) to be tested, wherein, if an installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested is identified as correct, this installation configuration (30, 32) is determined as the actual installation configuration (30, 32) of the sensor. determining a misalignment of the sensor (10; 12) with respect to an installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested based on measurement data from the measurement method, wherein the measurement data from the measurement method are interpreted based on the installation configuration (30, 32) that is to be tested and is assumed to be correct (S10; S12); and identifying the installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested as correct or incorrect based on the determined misalignment of the sensor (10; 12), wherein, at least if the installation configuration to be tested is identified as incorrect, the steps of determining a misalignment (S10; S12) and of identifying an installation configuration (30, 32) as correct or incorrect are carried out for at least one further one of at least two installation configurations (30, 32) to be tested, wherein, if an installation configuration (30, 32) to be tested is identified as correct, this installation configuration (30, 32) is determined as the actual installation configuration (30, 32) of the sensor.