A vision system and method for a motor vehicle

A vision system for a motor vehicle comprises an imaging means (11) adapted to record images of a region surrounding the motor vehicle, electronic processing means (14) adapted to process images recorded by said imaging means (11), and safety means (18, 19, ...) controlled depending on the result of said image processing, characterized in that said electronic processing means (14) is adapted to determine, essentially on the basis of image data recorded by said imaging means (11), an impairment of a transparent front element (31) protecting said imaging means (11).