Quickest way to test a compressor

Without hooking it up to a running zuk
(which I don't have at this time ),
is there any way I can test a compressor to see if it is any good?

I have a chance to get a compressor from a 1.6L 16v tracker, and I was thinking of using it for an on board air setup. The guy is only asking for a few bucks, but doesn't know if it works.

I was thinking that if I hook it up to 12v and spin the pulley, I should feel tiny puffs of air. Would this work, or am I way off base on this one? Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, but I didn't find anything in the search and I haven't worked with compressors before.