The device has a cover element (30), which is moved from a closed position (1) to an open position by a drive (50), where the camera unit (10) is behind the cover element and inaccessible from outside in the closed position of the cover element. The images are recorded in the open position of the cover element. The cover element has an outer surface (31) facing away from the camera unit, where the drive interacts with such a mechanism that the outer surface is always in the exterior area (6) of the motor vehicle in each position of the cover element. An independent claim is also included for method for attaching a device to a body part a motor vehicle.
