A rear-view element folding device for a motor vehicle for approaching at least one rotational position of an element housing relative to an element foot mountable to the motor vehicle and for locking or unlocking at least one resting position of the element housing relative to the element foot, having • a first actuator, which is designed as an SMA actuator and uses at least one SMA element, which is a shape memory element, for a translational movement of a first engagement element connected firmly to the element housing relative to a second engagement element connected with the element foot along an axis of rotation A Φ, wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are firmly engaged with one another in a locking position, such as a locked resting position of the element housing, wherein at least one spring element applies a force against the first and/or second engagement element (5, 6) in the locking position and in an unlocking position, such as an unlocked resting position of the element housing, the first actuator moves the first or second engagement element (5, 6) against the force of the spring element on changing from the locking position to the unlocking position in that each SMA element is shortened by heating by applying a current, wherein on cooling of the SMA element the spring element returns automatically from the unlocking state to the locking state, and • a second, separate actuator, which uses a motor for a rotational movement for rotating the first engagement element relative to the second engagement element about the axis of rotation A Φ, wherein by a first rotational movement a first rotational position of the element housing is approachable from the unlocked resting position and by a second rotational movement contrary to the first rotational movement of the element housing the unlocked resting position is approachable from the first rotational position. • a first actuator, which is designed as an SMA actuator and uses at least one SMA element, which is a shape memory element, for a translational movement of a first engagement element connected firmly to the element housing relative to a second engagement element connected with the element foot along an axis of rotation A Φ, wherein the first engagement element and the second engagement element are firmly engaged with one another in a locking position, such as a locked resting position of the element housing, wherein at least one spring element applies a force against the first and/or second engagement element (5, 6) in the locking position and in an unlocking position, such as an unlocked resting position of the element housing, the first actuator moves the first or second engagement element (5, 6) against the force of the spring element on changing from the locking position to the unlocking position in that each SMA element is shortened by heating by applying a current, wherein on cooling of the SMA element the spring element returns automatically from the unlocking state to the locking state, and • a second, separate actuator, which uses a motor for a rotational movement for rotating the first engagement element relative to the second engagement element about the axis of rotation A Φ, wherein by a first rotational movement a first rotational position of the element housing is approachable from the unlocked resting position and by a second rotational movement contrary to the first rotational movement of the element housing the unlocked resting position is approachable from the first rotational position.