Motor vehicle charging socket having overheating protection

A method for recognizing an over-temperature in a region of a charging socket of a motor vehicle without a temperature sensor, comprising:

• detecting a temperature value by means of a temperature sensor at an installation location of the temperature sensor that is different from the region;
• determining at least one configuration value of a current operating configuration, in which the charging socket is operated;
• producing a temperature reading for the region by means of a characteristic map, which is designed for the purpose of including the temperature value and the at least one configuration value as input variables and of assigning the temperature reading to the input variables;
• triggering a protective measure for the charging socket as a function of the temperature reading.