A piston-cylinder unit includes a piston delimiting at least one working chamber, in which a first seal for sealing at least one first working chamber is arranged either between the piston and cylinder or between a plunger connected to the piston and the cylinder. A second seal is arranged between the first seal and the first working chamber, and the piston-cylinder unit further includes a first channel arranged in the wall of the cylinder or in the piston, which joins the first seal and the second seal in the inner chamber of the cylinder. The first channel and/or a hydraulic line connected thereto may have a throttle device and/or a valve device. An electronic control and regulating device may have a diagnosis or monitoring function for a possible defect or failure of a seal. Multiple hydraulic devices may have such piston-cylinder units and respective control and such regulating devices.