A device is provided for closing off an opening formed in the bodywork of a motor vehicle, which includes a fixed structure in which an aperture is defined, and at least one sliding panel exhibiting a surround bearing at least two guide pegs. The device has at least one slide having a groove to accept each of the two guide pegs, the grooves being substantially identical and having an inclined portion forming an angle of between 1 and 89 DEG with the said axis of sliding; a guide element secured to the sliding panel, guided in one of the guide rails; and a return, which controls a relative movement of the slide or slides with respect to the guide element along the said axis of sliding. The sliding panel moves in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the fixed structure.