(1) No retail installment contract shall require or entail the execution, by the buyer, of any note or series of notes, which when separately negotiated will cut off as against third parties any right of action or defense which the buyer may have against the motor vehicle dealer.

(2) The rights of a holder in due course of any negotiable instrument executed contrary to subsection (1) of this section are not impaired by reason of the violation of subsection (1) of this section, but the buyer may bring an action against the motor vehicle dealer for the recovery of any loss or expense incurred by reason of the violation of subsection (1) of this section. The buyer’s action may be joined with any other right of action the buyer has against the motor vehicle dealer arising out of the installment sale. The court may award reasonable attorney fees to the prevailing party in an action under this section. [1957 c.625 § 9; 1995 c.618 § 47; 2001 c.117 § 11]