The EP3 doesn't have an air flow sensor. It will have an Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor on the intake pipe and a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor in the inlet manifold.
Depending which one will affect the car in different ways, but it will only affect the car if it isn't held in securely and there is an air leak or if it falls out.
If the MAP sensor reads incorrectly, the car won't know the correct inlet pressure in the intake manifold, basically how much air it is pulling in. The ECU will adjust the running of the engine incorrectly which will lead to it being hard to start, sputtering/missing, blowing black smoke, poor fuel economy and it could cut out intermittently.
If the IAT reads incorrectly, outward signs are few and far between but an emissions test may reveal higher Nox readings so it could fail an MOT, or the engine may knock/ping/detonate under load which is seriously bad news as this is when the fuel/air mixture ignites out of time with the spark plug ignition. This can cause damage to the piston and valves as they are basically in the wrong position when the mixture ignites causing stress and heat build-up.
I can only imagine it would be taped if the clips are broken on the plug, or the holes where either of them fit into are knackered somehow.
Either way, it shouldn't be like that and you need to get it sorted as it will cause you problems down the line.
Is your engine management light on?