Computer-implemented method for testing the effects of a technical function on a vehicle and/or vehicle surroundings, wherein the technical function is described by a virtual function model and operating states of the vehicle are described by a virtual vehicle model, wherein the method involves carrying out a simulation of the implementation of the technical function in the vehicle, which involves carrying out the following steps: coupling the virtual function model to the virtual vehicle model for data transfer purposes, generating control data for the virtual vehicle model by way of the virtual function model, simulating technical operating states of the vehicle by means of the virtual vehicle model on the basis of the generated control data, and carrying out a risk assessment for at least one of the simulated operating states of the vehicle, characterized in that critical operating states are defined and stored for the virtual vehicle model, the simulation of the technical operating states of the vehicle is followed by checking being performed to ascertain whether these technical operating states match one of the stored critical operating states, and, if a match is found, a hazardous state is identified during the risk assessment and the hazardous state is output. the technical function is described by a virtual function model and operating states of the vehicle are described by a virtual vehicle model, wherein the method involves carrying out a simulation of the implementation of the technical function in the vehicle, which involves carrying out the following steps: coupling the virtual function model to the virtual vehicle model for data transfer purposes, generating control data for the virtual vehicle model by way of the virtual function model, simulating technical operating states of the vehicle by means of the virtual vehicle model on the basis of the generated control data, and carrying out a risk assessment for at least one of the simulated operating states of the vehicle, characterized in that critical operating states are defined and stored for the virtual vehicle model, the simulation of the technical operating states of the vehicle is followed by checking being performed to ascertain whether these technical operating states match one of the stored critical operating states, and, if a match is found, a hazardous state is identified during the risk assessment and the hazardous state is output. coupling the virtual function model to the virtual vehicle model for data transfer purposes, generating control data for the virtual vehicle model by way of the virtual function model, simulating technical operating states of the vehicle by means of the virtual vehicle model on the basis of the generated control data, and carrying out a risk assessment for at least one of the simulated operating states of the vehicle, characterized in that critical operating states are defined and stored for the virtual vehicle model, the simulation of the technical operating states of the vehicle is followed by checking being performed to ascertain whether these technical operating states match one of the stored critical operating states, and, if a match is found, a hazardous state is identified during the risk assessment and the hazardous state is output.