ORIGINAL: Ed Cregger
Nope, there's not really any way to know for sure what you're buying. Even if you buy it from a hobbyshop or an online dealer. What does a hobbyshop do with engines that have been returned because the buyer "didn't like them"? Ditto online hobbyshops? They have to go somewhere. Ever see a nearly new engine sold as being nearly new from these folks? Yes, it happens occasionally, but not nearly as often as engines are returned.
Ed Cregger
The warranty will follow with the engine if the engine was bought from hobbyshop, the seller in hobbyshop are responible for the engine are in good contidion and as like as a new engine in case the engine was returned by former buyer if he disliked the engine.
Importand to demand the warranty for the engine and take care at receipt from hobbyshop where the engine are bought!