A method for monitoring the condition of a hard finishing machine, in particular a grinding machine, wherein the hard finishing machine has a number of NC-controlled axes which are actuated during the machining of a workpiece, wherein, for the purpose of evaluating the condition of the hard finishing machine, at least one reference run is performed on at least one axis, during which the response of the axis to a drive signal is measured and evaluated. In order to enable improved condition monitoring of the hard finishing machine, the reference run includes a phase in which the axis is accelerated and/or braked.