A device and method for automatically closing a tailgate 3 of a motor vehicle 1 having a body 2 and a tailgate closing device (16), is described. The tailgate closing device 16 comprises first 13 andsecond closing elements 12. A suspension strut 8 is situated on a first side 6 of the tailgate 4 and a power strut 9 is situated on a second side 7 of the tailgate 3 opposite the first side 6. The suspension strut 8 and the power strut 9 are both connected to the tailgate 3 and to the body 2. The first closing element 13 is situated on the tailgate 3 and the second closing element 12 is situated on the body 2 of the motor vehicle 1. The first and second closing elements 12 are designed to engage into each other during the closing of the tailgate 3 to effectuate the closure of the tailgate 3. The torque acting via the power strut onto the tailgate 3 is reduced during the closing of the tailgate 3 when the distance between the first and second closing elements (13, 12) is less than a threshold value.