The problem addressed by the invention is to devise a method for closing a motor vehicle hood which makes it possible to minimize a gap between the hood and the vehicle body. This should in particular make it possible to keep the risk of injuries low. In order to solve said problem, the hood is closed as follows by means of a hood closing device comprising a locking bolt (35) and a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (7): the open hood is moved in the direction of the closed position; this movement of the hood causes the locking bolt (35) to pivot the rotary latch (1) about its pin (4) in the direction of the latched position until the rotary latch (1) hits a breakthrough preventing contraption, in particular a catching lever (11), whereupon the hood or the rotary latch along with the hood is moved using a drive unit (19), in particular an electric drive unit, in such a way that the gap between the hood and the motor vehicle body is reduced; following this movement caused by the drive unit, the rotary latch (1) is locked by the pawl (7).