A structural motor-vehicle element is made by hot-shaping and press-hardening a steel workpiece into the element and thereafter heating the hot-shaped and press-hardened workpiece to between 320° C. and 400° C. The steel workpiece constitutes in weight percent, Carbon (C)0.18% to 0.3% Silicon (Si)0.1% to 0.7% Manganese (Mn)1.0% to 2.5% Phosphorus (P)max. 0.025% Chromium (Cr)up to 0.8% Molybdenum (Mo)up to 0.5% Sulfur (S)max. 0.01% Titanium (Ti)0.02% to 0.05% Boron (B)0.002% to 0.005% Aluminum (Al)0.01% to 0.06% the rest iron including impurities caused by the smelting process.