A method for improving the controllability of motor vehicles during braking wherein desired slip values are determined and adjusted with the aid of a wheel slip controller. According to the method, the following are measured: the yaw rate .psi., the steering angle .delta., the wheel speeds V.sub.Ri, the inlet pressure P.sub.inlet or wheel brake pressure P.sub.i, and, if required, the engine speed and the throttle valve angle. The following variables are estimated using the measured values: the longitudinal vehicle speed V.sub.X, the longitudinal vehicle acceleration V.sub.X, the wheel slip values .lambda..sub.i, the braking forces F.sub.Bi, the tire forces F.sub.Ri, and the transverse speed V.sub.Y. Desired slip values .lambda..sub.i * are then determined from these measured and estimated variables with the aid of a simple vehicle model and supplied to the slip controller to control the vehicle wheel brake pressure.