The present invention relates to a method for reducing a mechanical load on at least one component of the drive train of a motor vehicle (10) having at least two wheels, of which at least one is a drive wheel (12a, 12b), wherein the motor vehicle (10) comprises an anti-lock braking system (16), and at least one electrical machine (18) which, in order to drive exactly one drive wheel (12a, 12b) of the motor vehicle (10), is coupled to said drive wheel, wherein a respective friction brake (14a, 14b) is assigned to each of at least two wheels of the motor vehicle (10), said method comprising the following steps: a) provision of the anti-lock braking system (16) in such a manner that it can act individually for each wheel on the friction brakes (14a, 14b) for the wheels of the motor vehicle (10) (step 100); b) during an actuation of the anti-lock braking system (16) (step 110): b1) determining the mechanical load on at least one articulated shaft (20a, 20b) connecting an electrical machine (18a, 18b) and an associated drive wheel (12a, 12b) (step 120); b2) activating the electrical machine (18a, 18b) assigned to the drive wheel (12a, 12b) in such a manner that the mechanical load is counteracted (step 140). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding motor vehicle.