A method is provided for braking a motor vehicle equipped with wheel brakes without a hydraulic connection to a brake-operating device, and with a service brake unit having a brake actuator, which, triggered by an output signal of the brake-operating device and ultimately with the aid of a control device, loads the wheel brakes in a wheel- or axle selective manner so that the braking force changes at least on one wheel or at least on one axle. The method is characterized in that a total setpoint braking force that decelerates the motor vehicle is distributed via the brake actuator to the individual wheels or axles by the control device.