A device is suggested which serves to lock and unlock closed doors of a motor vehicle. The device comprises a lock which is assigned to every door, can be actuated with a key and whose locking element is swivelably supported at the door and whose retainers, which cooperate with the latter, are arranged near the door opening so as to be fixed with respect to the body of the vehicle. The locking element is a structural component part which is spring-loaded relative to the unlocking position and engages behind the pin-like retainers with a hook-shaped projection in its locking position. The locking element has two catches which together enclose an angle with reference to the swivel axis of the locking element, which catches cooperate with counter-catches of a swivelable latch element which are spring-loaded relative to the catch position. To actuate a device constructed in such a way by motor as well, the lock has an actuating element which can be activated by motor, swivels the locking element into its locking position for locking the door and moves the latch element against the spring force for unlocking door and in so doing disengages the catches and counter-catches.