The invention relates to a method comprising the steps a) providing isobutyric acid, b) bringing isobutyric acid into contact with the combination of isobutyrate kinase and phosphotransisobutyrylase and/or isobutyryl-coenzyme A synthetase/ligase and/or isobutyrate-coenzyme A transferase, c) bringing the product from step a) into contact with isobutyryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, d) bringing the product from step b) into contact with methacrylyl-coenzyme A hydratase, and e) hydrolyzing the product from step d) to form 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid, where at least one of the enzymes is used in the form of a cell which, compared to its wildtype, comprises a reduced activity of a 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid dehydrogenase or a variant thereof, a cell which has at least one enzyme from the group comprising isobutyryl-coenzyme A synthetase/ligase, isobutyrate-coenzyme A transferase, isobutyrate kinase, phosphotransisobutyrylase, isobutyryl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, methacrylyl-coenzyme A hydratase and 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-coenzyme A hydrolase and, compared to its wildtype, a reduced activity of a 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid dehydrogenase or a variant thereof, wherein the cell preferably has, in addition, a monooxygenase, more preferably a monooxygenase of the alkBGT type or a variant thereof and the use of such a cell for preparing 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid.