A motor-driven actuator for a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle seat, is for being situated between two components of the vehicle or vehicle seat that can be displaced in relation to one another. The motor-driven actuator comprises a motor, at least one first gear stage that is located on the output side of the motor, a second gear stage that acts as a load-bearing gear and is located on the output side of the first gear stage, and at least one sealing element. The motor, gear stages and sealing element are integrated into the motor-driven actuator. The sealing element is adapted for being in a predetermined sealing configuration for protecting the motor and/or its electrical contact and/or at least one of the gear stages during manufacturing. The sealing element is adapted for not being in the predetermined sealing configuration when the motor-driven actuator is installed and ready to operate.