From those pics, it looks like nothing really is missing. Is there a fitting on the passenger side of the itake manifold? I don't see alot of the fitting and such that mine has. Good luck.

I really thought of that...and worried that i wont pass the test this august on car registration day. i'll try to look around and see if i can have one set up. Thanks dennis!

There's two different EVAP systems available to 1st gen sportages.. the big one is the main guy, the little one is possitioned infront of the washer tank I believe and that may be what you have.
That is the location of where the big guy would be, your EVAP Charcoal canister. It's emissions related but not exhaust emissions. You MAY actualy be able to PASS emissions without it.. I don't know if they visually inspect the canister, but if your missing it and your check engine light is on, they'll scan the code most likely and they'll find out.
Primarily they 'sniff' your exhaust with a machine i believe. if your gasses: 02, CO2, NOX, or (i forget this one) are out of wack, then they fail you.. but the EVAP system is not direct exaust emission related.. But i don't know if they also cover EVAP systems. (input anyone?)
Ya know how an old classic will sometimes smell like gas if parked in a poor ventillated garage even when it's just parked.. it's because their gas tanks ventilate to keep the tank from naturaly building pressure from the fuel vapors.. well, those vapors are harmfull and cause cancer only in the state of california (lol). But you can't just seal the tanks. So they still today vent the tanks, but they use charcoal as a filter to catch the harmful vapors and allow the air to pass.. then when you start your car, the vapors are sucked into your engine via a vacuum line so that it's not wasted or building up. when the car is running, the vent system is closed to allow the tank to pressurize. there are electronic valves (purge and vent) that control when the tank can vent or not vent and pressure sensors to check if your system is working right.. therefore your Check engine light may be on if it's supposed to have it. Hope that makes sense. I'm burnt out. long hot day. typcally though, a failed EVAP system doens't alter performance or economy.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Though im not noticing any setbacks in terms of engine performance, i do smell a little carbon/fuel but tolerable. As for the engine light, that's a negative. No check engine light. Im guessing it has been disconnected to the ECU? Or to something that would make it lit.

Weird. Maybe someone has done a mod we aren't aware of here. Or.. maybe your's had a unique design of a rarity. In either case the C.E.L. isn't on makes me wonder if the bulb burnt out and is actually on. or if the bulb is intact and it really is off. If it's really off then i'd just go about my merry way with it.. have you verified the C.E.L. comes on when you first turn the key.. it should momentarily along with every other dash warning light upon start up. if not, the bulb is likely burnt out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

the light is okay. it does exactly like you mentioned. i believe its MODed already. I hope its not a bad thing, but i will have this check once and for all (lol). as for the MODs i've noticed, the throttle position sensor and MASS sensors are replaced by a BOSCH sports sensors. God knows what else were replaced, but they did a good job.