The invention relates to a method for operating a detection device in a motor vehicle for a trip to a destination, wherein, by means of the detection device and on the basis of sensor data of the motor vehicle and/or on the basis of status data of at least one vehicle component of the motor vehicle, it is determined locally in the motor vehicle whether the motor vehicle is in a search phase, during which a driver of the motor vehicle is no longer driving toward the destination but rather is searching for a parking opportunity for the motor vehicle, and a duration of the search phase is determined by means of the detection device.